The document discusses access to medicines in India, noting that branded drugs are much more expensive than generic alternatives sold through the Jan Aushadhi campaign, which aims to make quality medicines affordable for all by selling unbranded generics at significantly lower prices through stores located in government hospitals. Currently there are 157 Jan Aushadhi stores opened across several states and union territories, though only 93 are currently active, as some state governments have launched their own subsidized medicine programs.

1. Healthcare and
Access to Medicines
Vijaykumar Shivpuje*
*The views expressed in this presentation are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views of the organization
he represents.
1

2. Roadmap





2
Introduction
Current situation of access to medicines in India
Generic drugs:
- What are generic drugs?
- Are they safe?
Case studies
Jan Aushadhi campaign

3. Current situation of access to medicines
Availability of medical services
Priorities of the expenses
Pricing of the drugs
3

4. Current situation of access to medicines
Category
Dosage
Pack
Average
market price of
branded drug
Antibiotic
Ciprofloxacin
250 mg
10
54.00 Rs.
Pain killer
Diclofenac SR
100 mg
10
51.91 Rs.
Common cold
Cetirizine
10 mg
10
37.50 Rs.
Fever
4
Name of drug
Paracetamol
500 mg
10
13.56 Rs.

5. Generic drugs
A generic drug is a drug defined as "a drug product that is
comparable to brand/reference listed drug product in dosage form,
strength, route of administration, quality and performance
characteristics, and intended use.“ It has also been defined as a
term referring to any drug marketed under its chemical name
without advertising.
Prescriptions may be issued for drugs specifying only the chemical
name, rather than a manufacturer's name; such a prescription can
be filled with a drug of any brand meeting the specification. For
example, a prescription for lansoprazole can be filled with generic
lansoprazole, Prevacid, Helicid, Zoton, Inhibitol, or Monolitum.
5

6. Current situation of access to medicines
Category
Dosage
Pack
Average
market price of
branded drug
Prices of generic
medicines sold in Jan
Aushadhi outlets
Difference
Antibiotic
Ciprofloxacin
250 mg
10
54.00 Rs.
11.10 Rs.
5 times
higher
Pain killer
Diclofenac SR
100 mg
10
51.91 Rs.
3.35 Rs.
15.5 times
higher
Common cold
Cetirizine
10 mg
10
37.50 Rs.
2.75 Rs.
13.5 times
higher
Fever
6
Name of drug
Paracetamol
500 mg
10
13.56 Rs.
2.45 Rs.
5.5 times
higher

7. Question in Loksabha on 6th August 2013
Shri KIRODI LAL
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:(a) whether there is a huge difference in the prices of non-branded generic medicines being sold at the
Jan Aushadhi Stores (JAS) and that of branded medicines in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND
PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS
AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA):
7
(a) & (b): Yes Sir. There is a huge difference in the prices of non-branded generic medicines being sold
at the Jan Aushadhi Stores (JAS) and the prices of branded medicines sold in the open market in the
country.
The prices of branded medicines are generally higher than the prices of equivalent generic medicines
due to promotional efforts made in selling of such products. Besides some branded drugs enjoy patent
protection and a number of drugs are not covered under the regulation through the Drug Prices Control
Orders. In the case of generic drugs sold at Jan Aushadhi Stores, the medicines are directly supplied
through stockists/CPSUs at actual cost plus limited margins. It is a conscious decision of the
Government to keep the prices of the medicines at affordable levels for the benefit of all.

8. Jan Aushadhi Campaign
What it is?


8
The aim of this campaign is to make available quality medicines at
affordable prices for all, especially the poor and the disadvantaged.
Under this campaign, less priced quality unbranded generic
medicines will be made available through Jan Aushadhi stores which
inherently are less priced but are of same and equivalent quality,
efficacy and safety as compared to branded generic medicines.
The generic medicines are being supplied in the first instance by the
Central Pharma PSUs which will ensure both quality and timely
supply. Medicines not available currently with the CPSUs will be
sourced from quality SME units. This will also give support to the
Pharma SME sectored as well as promote public-private partnership
and avenues for achievement of corporate social responsibilities
geared towards affordable Medicare for the masses. The Jan
Aushadhi Campaign has now been formalized as Generic Drug
Scheme with the approval of the Planning Scheme.

9. Jan Aushadhi Campaign
Eligibility:

Under this Scheme, State Government has to provide space in Government Hospital
premises for the running of the outlets (Called as Jan Aushadhi Stores).


Operational expenditure is met from trade margins admissible for medicines. The
State Government has to ensure prescription of unbranded generic medicines by the
Government doctors.

The Jan Aushadhi Programme is accordingly a self sustaining business model not
dependent on government subsidies or assistance. It is run on the principle of “Not
for Profits but with Minimal Profits”.

9
Government hospitals, NGOs, Charitable Organizations and public societies like
Red Cross Society, Rogi Kalyan Samiti typically constituted for the purpose can be
operating agencies for the JAS. The operating agency for JAS is nominated on the
basis of the recommendations of the State government.
The Central Government would provide only a one-time assistance of Rs. 2.00 lakhs
as furnishing and establishment costs and further Rs. 50,000 as one time start up cost
to NGO etc,. setting up the Jan Aushadhi Outlet.

10. Jan Aushadhi Campaign
Status:
At present, 157 JAS opened in the states of
 Punjab,
 Haryana,
 Uttarakhand,
 Orissa,
 Rajasthan,
 Andhra Pradesh,
 Union Territories of Chandigarh and
 Delhi.
However, only 93 are currently functioning.
10
State governments of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have launched their own subsidized
medicine programme by setting up government owned chains.

11. A person suffering from a disease is a patient and
not the consumer. The medicine should be meant
for healing and not selling.
11