ASSOCHAM conference- There is no compromise in quality when it comes to generic medicines: Experts

The conference was inaugurated by Professor KK Bhutani, the officiating director of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).

Speaking about the relevance of generic medicines in the current medical scenario and affordability of generic drugs, Bhutani stressed the need for introducing more generics in India.

“Generic medicines also pass the same regulatory measures as branded medicines, which essentially means that there is no compromise in quality when it comes to generic medicines. But physicians in India continue to prescribe branded medicines and there is also a lack of drug pricing control laws, which has limited the unbranded generics in the domestic market.”

According to reports in 2014 India ranks fourth in pharmaceutical production worldwide and about 40 per cent of
the generic drugs used in the United States are manufactured in India.

“Despite this, there is very limited growth of generic drugs in India. If efforts are taken by the government to concentrate on non-branded generic prescription by doctors, then there can be a huge opportunity for generic manufacturers to widen their distribution channels system,” said Dr Manjit Mohi, the director of Medical and Education Research, Punjab.

Key speakers like Secretary General of ASSOCHAM D S Rawat, Professor Emeritus at Panjab University IS Dua, Drug Controller, Food and Drugs Punjab Ajay Singhla, former dean of department of pharmaceutical sciences, MDU, Rohtak, Dr Arun Nanda and chairperson of University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, PU, Professor Bhupinder Singh Bhoop were also present in the conference.

The speakers apprised the audience of the advantages of generic drugs and presented technical sessions to boost production and access of generic medicines and the global regulatory standards to distribute such drugs. The panel also raised concerns over the increase in shifting of Indian API industries to China over the years.

“India is a major player in the global generic drug scenario and it is important to take measures to ensure the usage of generic drugs in India before we are at the threshold of a federal disaster. Students should also be encouraged to be a part of research and development activities for generic drugs and we must also lay our focus on start-ups in this field,” Bhupinder Singh Bhoop said.