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Business Standard
07-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Are generic medicines as good as branded ones? Here's what you should know
When you pick a generic medicine over a branded one, you're saving money, but how much do you really know about what's in that tablet? PM Modi calls India the 'Pharmacy of the World,' with the pharmaceutical industry valued at around $50 billion in FY24 and expected to grow to $120–130 billion by 2030, according to a December 2024 statement by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Generics drive this growth, contributing 70–80 per cent of India's retail pharma revenue and nearly 100 per cent of volume in some areas. However, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), which serves as the national regulatory authority for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of pharmaceuticals, has raised some red flags. In April 2025, the CDSCO released yet another list of Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs, highlighting persistent concerns about substandard pharmaceuticals in India. What are generic medicines and how are they different from branded ones? A generic medicine is essentially a more affordable version of a branded drug. As Jeevan Kasara, Director and CEO of Steris Healthcare Pvt. Ltd, explained, generics contain the same active ingredient, dosage, strength, and intended use as their branded counterparts. When a pharmaceutical company's patent expires, other companies are allowed to manufacture the same medicine, usually under its chemical name rather than a branded label. Do generics differ in dosage, strength, or effectiveness? Generics are required to match branded medicines in dosage, form, strength, route of administration, and purpose. Minor differences—such as colour, packaging, or inactive ingredients—may exist, but the core active compound remains identical. Are generic medicines as safe and effective in real life? Jeevan Kasara stated that reputable manufacturers follow strict regulatory protocols and conduct bioequivalence studies to demonstrate that generics perform the same as branded versions in the body. CDSCO policies and international audits—such as from the USFDA or European regulators—ensure quality standards, especially for exported generics. Buying from licensed pharmacies and trusted sources is key to safety. Why do people hesitate to trust generic drugs? Dr Jagadish Hiremath, a public health expert, said, 'There's a belief that cheaper means lower quality. But that's not true for CDSCO-approved generics.' Brand familiarity and years of marketing have made some patients wary. In specific cases—like psychiatric, thyroid, or epilepsy medications—doctors may stick with known brands due to sensitivity in absorption rates. But for most common conditions, generics are equally effective. How much money can you save by choosing generics? Generic medicines can be 30 to 90 per cent cheaper than branded ones, according to Kasara. For young professionals without insurance, this can translate into major savings over time—without compromising quality. How can you verify if a generic medicine is trustworthy? Use this quick safety checklist: Buy only from licensed pharmacies Check batch number and expiry date Look for manufacturing and approval details Prefer reputed pharmaceutical manufacturers Apps like Tata 1mg, Netmeds, and Medlife can help verify generic equivalents and manufacturer ratings. Advanced users can consult CDSCO's site or the USFDA Orange Book. Why don't more doctors prescribe generics openly? Dr Hiremath attributes it to both caution and habit. Some doctors are concerned about patients using low-quality products from unverified sources. Others are influenced by pharmaceutical marketing and patient preference for known brands. Are Jan Aushadhi stores helping improve access to generics? Experts agree that Jan Aushadhi outlets offer an affordable route to essential medicines, especially for those managing chronic illnesses. However, Dr Hiremath emphasised that success depends on robust quality checks, public education, consistent supply chains, and accessible databases. Should you choose generic or branded medicines? Here's a quick recap: For most routine treatments, high-quality generics are just as safe and effective For specific, sensitive conditions, consult your doctor before switching Always purchase from trusted pharmacies or platforms Stay informed and ask questions to make safe, economical decisions 'Saving money should never feel risky when it comes to your health,' said Dr Hiremath. 'Stay informed, ask questions, and choose wisely.'
Deccan Herald
14-05-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Biolumpivaxin: Chandrababu Naidu launches new vaccine against lumpy skin disease in Vijayawada
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched indigenous Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine Biolumpivaxin in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Developed by Biovet, a subsidiary of Bharat Biotech, this CDSCO-approved vaccine is the world's first Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) marker vaccine, enhancing disease surveillance capabilities to protect Private Ltd, an emerging animal health vaccine producing company located at Malur, Karnataka currently has a world class Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine production facility at the Malur KIADS near Bangalore and is committed to produce animal health care products including veterinary biologicals, bio-vaccines and other related products for large animals, poultry and pet LSD vaccine requires only a single annual dose for cattle and buffaloes of all ages. According to national statistics from the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Ministry, India has experienced two major LSD outbreaks first in 2019 and again in 2022 resulting in approximately 200,000 cattle more lost milk production capabilities due to the disease. When infected with LSD, livestock suffer from high fever and painful skin nodules that can prove fatal and contaminate milk. The infection significantly reduces milk yield, posing a serious threat to large-scale dairies and disrupting the broader milk supply new study, scientists decipher virus behind lumpy skin disease the lumpy skin disease vaccine Biolumpivaxin Naidu remarked, it is heartening to note the availability of world class made in India vaccine. He emphasised that all viable measures should be taken earnestly to ensure the effective rollout of the vaccine, which not only can contribute to the state's targeted 20% livestock growth trajectory but also promote the long-term sustainability of the dairy that DIVA Marker LSD vaccine as an important step toward eradicating Lumpy disease, Biovet, founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, Dr. Krishna Ella, said , 'We are truly honoured. Livestock, alongside our human resources, represents one of the nation's greatest assets, contributing significantly to our economy and overall prosperity. We carry a deep responsibility to protect this sector, ensure the well-being of the dairy industry, and advance the nation's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.'BIOLUMPIVAXIN is a novel indigenous live-attenuated marker vaccine developed using the LSD virus/Ranchi/2019 vaccine strain from Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar, in collaboration with quality, safety, and efficacy of Biolumpivaxin have been extensively tested at Indian Council of Agriculture Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE) ensuring it meets the highest global standards. The vaccine also enables serological differentiation between naturally infected and vaccinated animals with the DIVA can produce 500 million doses of the vaccine from its production facilities in Bengaluru, ensuring sustainable Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Fisheries, the livestock sector has grown around 10% in the nine years and contributed to total agriculture and allied sector to over 30% from 24.36%.LSD virus transmission is largely attributed to vector bites, with mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects playing an essential the 2022 LSD outbreak in India, morbidity rates reached up to 80% with case fatality rates as high as 67%, across states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. This caused an estimated economic loss of over ₹18,337.76 crore and a 26% decline in milk production, significantly harming the dairy industry and the rural economy.
