Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 22: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today urged doctors across J&K to prescribe generic drugs instead of branded medicines.
In a statement issued here, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that prescribing such drugs would make drugs accessible to poor patients who are not able to buy expensive branded medicines
“Generic medicines are copycat versions of branded drugs and are equal to their branded counterparts in terms of strength, quality, efficacy and safety. They cost 80 to 90 per cent less than the branded medicines as manufactures do not have to spend on the development and promotion of the drug,” he said in a statement.
He said more than 24 lakh people in JK do not have access to medicines due to lack of purchasing power. “Majority of the cancer patients die for want of treatment because they cannot afford expensive branded drugs,” he said.
He said that the research has shown that generic drugs significantly reduce deaths among cancer patients, Dr Nisar said that the use of generic drugs in other chronic medical conditions, like diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular ailments would result in long term adherence to essential therapies.
“It was because of generic drugs that saved millions of lives with AIDS,” he added.
He said while generic drug use has increased over time, in JK doctors continue to dole out expensive branded drugs when equally effective and cheaper versions are available.
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