Doctors want generic medicines, but is J&K prepared?
The demand for generic medicines is growing in J&K. Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has now called for a law mandating doctors to recommend generic medicines. "Unless a legal framework is put in place, the push for generic medicines will remain an idea without implementation," said Dr Nisar ul Hassan, DAK president. But is the state even prepared for such a scenario?
'63% can't access medicines as they don't have purchasing power'
Every year, J&K consumes medicines worth Rs. 600cr, of which Rs. 400cr is spent in Kashmir alone. According to Hassan, 24.21L people (63% of J&K's population) don't have purchasing power for medicines. "90.39% purchase drugs through out-of-pocket payments." Hassan added, "Research has shown that out-of-pocket costs were lowered significantly among patients who were prescribed generic medicines compared to patients who were given branded drugs."
'Doctors get lucrative gifts from pharma companies'
Hassan alleged a deep-rooted nexus between pharma companies and doctors. According to the DAK, doctors get a range of items, "from luxury cars, family trips to household items", for prescribing branded medicines. Even pharmacists get steep margins on such expensive drugs, he said.
But can doctors prescribe generic medicines if they aren't available?
A month ago, The Tribune reported that the Jan Aushadhi stores, launched in December'14 to supply cheap generic medicines to people, were a failure in all three regions. None of the five stores in Jammu, two in Ladakh and seven in Kashmir has ample supply of life-saving drugs. The government has to assure supply before implementing laws mandating prescription of generic drugs.
