Pharmacies may soon have separate shelf for generics

The government is planning to make it mandatory for pharmacies to display generic medicines conspicuously on separate shelves so that consumers can opt for low-cost alternatives to expensive branded drugs.

The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) “agreed to keep a separate rack/shelf reserved solely for the storage of generic medicines in a part of the premises separated from other medicines, which shall be visible to consumers”, according to the minutes of a meeting held on February 12.

Mint has reviewed the minutes of the meeting.

The government is also considering a proposal to allow pharmacists to sell a generic verplans sion of a drug if the doctor prescribes the branded alternative, two people aware of the matter said, adding that the change is likely to take some time as it requires amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

“DTAB decided to take a step forward by allowing the pharmacists keep a separate rack to promote generic drugs,” said a senior official in the health ministry. The government has been promoting generic drugs for a while now and its efforts gained momentum with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing to put in place a legal framework in April last year to ensure doctors prescribe generic medicines.

The government launched Jan Aushadhi Scheme in 2015 to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices through outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Stores (JAS). Under the scheme, state governments are required to provide space in government hospital premises or any other suitable locations for JAS. As of now, such stores have 714 products available in the centres and the government proposes to increase the portfolio to 1,000 products by March 31.

To promote generic drugs, DTAB earlier approved an amendment to Rule 96 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act that sought changes in the labelling of medicines to boost sales of generic alternatives.

THE PROPOSED MOVE WILL LET CONSUMERS OPT FOR LOWCOST DRUGS TO EXPENSIVE BRANDED ONES