Maharashtra Registered Pharmacists Association (MRPA) requested JP Nadda, union health minister to reconsider Union health ministry's proposal to empower Pharmacist (chemists) to supply alternative cheaper drugs (Generic) with same ingredients.
The Union health ministry proposal to amend Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to provide that the chemist may offer for supply a drug formulation containing the same ingredients but in generic or other cheaper brand name is in favor of Pharmacists and in the interest of Common Public.
Kailas Tandale, President of MRPA said to PharmaTutor that they have requested Nadda to look positively towards the intention of the Union health ministry by introducing this proposal to amend Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 was to provide medicines to the common people at cheaper rates, especially not only through Jan Aushadhi stores but also for all Registered Pharmacists in India.
Earlier, the department of pharmaceuticals had launched a country wide campaign for opening of Jan Aushadhi stores in the country under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana. The drugs covered in this scheme and Drugs of other Pharmaceutical Company i.e. branded generics would be available at lesser prices than the market price and this way people could have access to the expensive drugs at discounted prices.
