A huge program to provide the population with free generic drugs was announced in India. Public health practitioners will receive a list of generics from the government. Attempts to prescribe original drugs are to be punished.
Observers point out that this $ 5,4 billion program is a serious blow to international pharmaceutical companies, for which India has so far been a growth market.
The implementation of the program is to start this year and will cover the entire country within two years. It is assumed that by 2017, half of India’s population, or some 600 million people, will already receive free medication. Others will probably continue to use private offices and hospitals, where the government program will not apply.
Reuters notes that last year spending on public health in India was just $ 4,5 per capita.
The health ministry emphasizes that standard-quality generic drugs are much cheaper than brand-name drugs. (PAP)
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