Industry Leaders Urge Government to Prioritize Pharmacy Maintenance Over Generic Prescriptions

Pharmaceutical industry leaders in South India are urging the Union health ministry to prioritize the proper maintenance of pharmacies and strengthen the distribution channel before enforcing generic prescription mandates. They argue that many pharmacies, both in hospitals and communities, do not fully comply with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and most community pharmacists lack proper training. SK Janimiya, a prominent pharma industry leader, expresses concern that making generic prescriptions compulsory could give unqualified pharmacists the power to prescribe medicines, potentially compromising patient safety.

He emphasizes that doctors have professional, statutory, and moral accountability to ensure patient well-being and should have the discretion to select specific brands based on their expertise and patient needs. Janimiya questions the need for brand registration provisions if brand promotion is discouraged. He highlights that the pharmaceutical industry invests substantial resources in brand registration and argues that the promotion of branded medicines can reduce the pill burden for patients, especially those with chronic conditions.

J Jayaseelan, chairman of Tamil Nadu IDMA, suggests that as long as pharmacies in India are managed by diploma holders in pharmacy (D Pharm), prescribing in chemical names will remain challenging. He notes that 95% of drugs sold in the Indian market are generic, but there is no effective price regulation mechanism, ultimately providing little benefit to patients. M Rajaratinam, managing director of MMC Pharma in Chennai, believes that promoting branded medicines in India can reduce the number of pills patients need to take, leading to more satisfactory outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. In summary, industry leaders are advocating for a focus on improving pharmacy standards and preserving doctors' discretion in prescribing branded medicines to ensure patient safety and well-being.