(Milcah Anila, Intern Journalist) Hyderabad: Government generic drug stores will be set up to check the preferred prices of private medical shops. The Ministry of Medical and Health has decided in principle to set these up in and out of government institutions.
Thus, generic drugs of the ‘Telangana brand’ are available in government medical shops at low prices. The Ministry of Medical and Health recently held a high-level meeting on this. Drugs sold in government medical shops are specially labeled as ‘Telangana Government Supply’.
The season of private drug stores
Owned by private hospitals in the state and some drug stores outside. The price they say. There are also criticisms that low-cost drugs are being passed on to patients at high prices.
In some government institutions, tenders are called and shops are allotted to private individuals. Some of them are accused of supplying substandard drugs. The Telangana State Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSMSIDC) provides only medicines for government hospitals.
The company supplies 600 types of medicines and other surgical instruments worth over Rs 200 crore to government hospitals. Of these, 300 types of medications are essential. People are losing out as the price of these drugs, which are being finalized through global tenders, is high.
Non-cooperating companies
There are 800 pharma, biotic, and medical technology companies in the state. Most of these companies are internationally renowned. From here the drugs are exported to 168 countries by the respective companies.
Hyderabad, also known as Pharma Capital, has been accused by several companies of not selling drugs to the government and not making their drugs available to the poor in the state. Medical and health sources say that less than a dozen pharma companies in the state are cooperating to supply medicines to government hospitals.
The government plans to meet with these companies as well as leading branded pharma companies that manufacture generic drugs. The Department of Medical Health plans to solicit participation from the respective companies and ensure that the drugs are sold at our state rates.
Why not come forward
Our pharma companies, which export internationally, say that the reason for not selling drugs to government agencies is due to strict conditions. There is a fear among many pharma companies that if any problem arises they will immediately blacklist the companies and damage the business internationally.
Once the tenders are accepted the medicines should be supplied even if the arrears accumulate. There is a situation where fines are imposed even if the supply is stopped for non-payment of arrears. They think that if they do not get the money due to them, how to impose penalties.
That is why a leading company spokesperson, who did not want to be named, commented that pharma companies have not come forward to supply drugs to government hospitals. In this context, the government is also considering the suggestions of pharma companies and plans to make some changes if necessary.
The idea is: Eetala
The idea is to set up medical shops under the auspices of the government. Proposals are also being received from MPs, ministers, and other quarters. However, the exercise did not start.
–Eetala Rajender, Medical. Minister of Health
Generic Branded What is the difference?
Pharma companies research, test, and market a new drug. In return, the company holds patent rights over some time for the manufacture of the drug. Drugs so prepared are called branded drugs or standard drugs.
Others should not make it as long as the patent is valid After the expiration of the original manufacturer’s patent, any company may manufacture and market the same drug with the same formula. Drugs made in this way are called generic drugs.
No research or clinical trials are required for the manufacture of generic drugs. There are no marketing costs. As a result, generic drugs are 30 to 80 percent cheaper than branded drugs.
If that happened then we would all be in big trouble.
If the state government sets up drug stores small private drug dealers will be fired. Even if the government wants to run generic drug stores, most doctors will not be in a position to cooperate. Most doctors prescribe branded. –Venugopal Sharma, State Private Medical Shops Association Representative.
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