[SaneVax: In a stunning move, India is in the process of implementing a policy to deliver low-cost medicinal products to their citizens. Unlike most developed countries who grant exclusive rights to market medicines and biologics, India allows the generic low-cost reproduction and distribution of any patented medicine. Read the article below for a blueprint of how real medicine should operate – with the medical consumers’ needs first and foremost.]
India Free Drugs Policy Blow to ‘Big Pharma’
By Alex Rossi, Asia Correspondent
The Indian government is finalising a plan to give out billions of pounds worth of essential medicines to patients in government-run hospitals and clinics – the biggest scheme of its kind in history.
The landmark project would be another massive blow to Western pharmaceutical giants who are already struggling to find a foothold in the world’s second most populous country.
The West’s big pharmaceutical firms – or “big pharma” – has long been thwarted on the sub-continent where the authorities freely allow generic drug companies to manufacture cheap copies of patented medicines.
Doctors will be ordered to only use generic drugs in the programme, which is expected to be approved in the next couple of months.
If a doctor prescribes a branded medicine they will face a hefty fine.
Analysts believe the policy will cause the big pharmaceutical companies to rethink their emerging markets strategy.
This is actually a good step where most of the people are poor. They cannot be denied treatments and medicines cause they are poor. Infact it is a very humane step. It will keep medical profession clean.
Isn’t turmeric a common & natural spice in Indian meals? Send Big Pharma monkeys back on the trees
INDIA GOVERNMENT SHOULD WITH DRAW FROM PATTEND ACTS FROM ESSENCIAL DRUGS /RE/OPEN THE CLOSED PSU DRUG UNITS/