Independence Day marks India’s freedom, but the Pharma Industry also owes a lot to this day! Indian Pharma sector evolved after the Independence and flourished with noticeable significance. It is vital to understand how the pharmaceutical IndustryIndustry progressed and a new tug of war between the generic and branded medicines. From vast amendments in the regulatory framework to the establishment of Pharma Franchise, there’s a lot that the Indian Pharma era underwent the past 72 years.
The Changing facet of Pharma Industry after Independence!
Before Independence, the framework and working of the pharma sector restricted to import of bulk drugs. There was no major manufacturing in the Country for advanced generics, plus the growth rate was minimal. India witnesses a major drug growth post-independence after various modifications implied to the whole set up. From the past two decades, the Country can record the growth of 10 PPA in the Pharma Industry. Today, India can make up almost 95% of its bulk drug requirement from within the Country. Major formulations for all branded and generics drugs are today done here itself.
Today, the Pharma industry can produce all types of drugs, including vitamins, antibiotics, semi-synthetic penicillin, steroids, hormones, and synthetic phytochemicals. Medical professionals and scientists possess enough skills to determine the complete range and process of making medicines. An increase in overall market turnover and hike in exports signifies the consequent progression in this area.
After Independence, the Pharma Industry enhanced market exposure and protruded skilling of professionals from the medical sector. From an importer of basic generics to the holder of the largest global drug inventories, pharma’s journey is commendable. Even after such a splurge in growth rate, potential medicines only reach out to 40% of our population located in urban areas. It justifies the prospects in domestic markets and the scope of the Pharma Industry to find customers.
Real facts elevating the progress of Indian Pharma Industry
After Independence Day, there was no looking back for the health sector in India. The concept of Pharma Franchise focuses on reaching the remotest areas and generating earning prospects amongst the people. Individuals relating to the medical profession in any means can hold such pharma franchise and regulate the reach of generics to poor and needy.
Now lets come over to the networking of the Pharma industry in the Indian medicine market. There are 250 units approximately, and five of them belong to public sector naming HAL, SSPL, IDPL, BIL, and BCPL. Six of them retain a significant position in the joint IndustryIndustry. Besides, there are almost 21 more MRTP companies and around 6 FERA ones. Amongst all, 100 of them have dedicated engagement to the production and manufacturing of bulk drugs.
It all begins post- Independence when the Government felt the need for progressive steps to enhance drug production in the Country. IDPL (Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited) boosted this thought on 5th April 1961. Five plants for this purpose at significant spots in Country gave a kick start to the efforts. At Rishikesh, the manufacturing plant produced synthetic drugs at Chennai for the introduction of surgical instruments, Gurgaon for formulations, and Muzaffarpur to promote drugs and other chemical intermediates.
It also has three more subsidiary companies to fasten the projects. Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (RDPL), Lucknow and Orissa Drugs and Chemical Ltd. (ODCL), Bhubaneshwar, along with Uttar Pradesh Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (UPDPL) are working to attain the goals. On 1st March 1954, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL) started with its functioning. Manufacturers of drugs like streptomycin, Hamycin, Amcillin, Penicillin, Aureofungen, and Gentamycin were their priorities. Pharmaceuticals units were set in various regions of Kolkata. You might have heard of leading drug manufacturers from Pharma Industry with names including Ciba, Hoechst, Glaxo, Alembic, Pfizer, Unichem, Chemo Pharma, and the Warner Hindustan. They produce all types of formulations and generics.
Role of Pharma Franchise in the growth of Industry
The concept of Pharma Franchise came into existence long after the Independence day. Only after Government and private entities started thinking about the cost-effectiveness and reachability of this pattern was given a good push. Small corporations and individuals with valid qualifications were assigned the prospect of beginning with Pharma Franchise and indulging in the sale of generic and branded drugs. Since then, there is a loophole in the whole set up whether the branded medicines are better or the generic ones. Re-evaluation of both aspects can help in determining which one is better.
Generics or Branded Drugs- Which is better?
WHO registers a statement where it says that half the world refrains from getting excellent healthcare facilities, and Indian is no exception. It works diligently on a focus on health for all perspectives. With a unique healthcare facility, the availability of necessary medicines and sanitization facilities is among the top criteria.
An average Indian lead their life on Rs.72 per day. How can you expect them to spend on health care facilities? Even after such a long journey since Independence day, the healthcare industry fails to cater to the generic needs of the poor. After scrutinizing these factors, the Government started emphasizing Pharma Franchise promoting and selling generic drugs. Many people still pertain a misconception to the adaptability of such medications as they relate them to cheap quality drugs. But Pharmaceutical portals and agencies are promoting the real picture with due diligence.
Coming to ‘Branded Generics,’ it refers to drugs sold under any big company name. It represents the brand name, and the cost also increases significantly. Brands started misusing the Branded generics to shoot up the drug rates as per their choice. After October 2012, the Government of India directed at selling the medicines with valid generic names. It led to a big hustle amongst the top manufacturing companies in India.
What’s a brand scam?
Fake or false promotion of drugs through many Pharmaceutical agencies to claim their drug superiority against the unbranded generics was talk of the town. However, there are a few trusted Pharma portals that emphasize the boost of drug effectiveness without any emphasis on brands. Medical professionals like Doctors pursue prescriptions to specific companies by indicating the better efficacy of drugs from big names. Is it all ethical? The debate is still on amongst the pharma Industry between the companies, Doctors, pharmacists, and Government. The Government has also suggested providing generic drugs with a minimal margin so that pharma franchise owners also do not suffer any setback. Indian patients are falling prey to exorbitant prices of drug rates by local chemists as they are unaware of margins on painkillers, antibiotics, antihistamines, and cough syrups.
Revolution in Indian Pharma Industry
If you sneak a peek at the Pharma sector’s growth graphs after Independence Day, an exceptional hike in exports and production plants within the country came into existence. Almost 20,00 drug marketing companies record registration under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. They diligently adhere to the norms of the pharma sector. However, the pharmacopeia relevant to the margin on every drug adds a complexity factor. The Government is coming with significant steps to discard the distinction between the price and quality of generics. Vision is to make essential drugs available for every patient irrespective of their affordability. Similar formulations will be compulsory, whether it is an unbranded generic or the branded ones.
Bottom line
A new set of guidelines for pharma Franchise includes exposure of generic medicines to the needy people. DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) gave a new set of instructions that every private chemist must retain a separate rack to display generic medicines. Drug company’s directions include printing of Generic names is two times bigger fonts and bolder ones concerning normal ones. Branded ones have a higher commission, and this accelerates their flow in the supply chain. Generic companies from Pharma Industry must infuse the efficacy in terms of quality and commitment in terms of quality productions!
Pharma Industry has come a long way after Independence Day in 1947 and moves towards Generic drugs’ availability to the ordinary people. We are now even exporting generic medicines to significant countries like Europe, Africa, and the US. It is the right time to pick the motto of ‘Positive and Affordable’ treatment for every individual and generate transparency about the effectiveness of such medicines.
