The Government Reveals That Branded Cardiovascular Diseaes, Diabetes Drugs Are 10 Times More Expensive Than Generic Ones

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Recent updates revealed that the government said leading brands of some of the drugs used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are more expensive than generic medicines. According to reports, the government said branded drugs are up to 10 times higher in price than generic drugs.

"Yes, it is a fact that some branded medicines are many times costlier than generic medicines," said Mansukh L Mandaviya, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers in a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

He went on to say that the average prices of leading brands of drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases are higher. He mentioned drugs like Amlodipine 5 mg and Atenolol 50 mg film coated tablets, Ramipril 5 mg tablets, Losartan 50 mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg tablets, which he said is up to 10 times costlier than the generic medicines in Jan Aushadhi Kendras, according to Indian Times.

However, in terms of drugs used in the treatment of diabetes, the average price of leading brands of some medicines is also higher with also up to 10 times the MRP of generic drugs in Jan Aushadhi Kendras, Mandaviya added.

According to Hindustantimes, Mandaviya continued to say that leading brands of Glimepiride 2 mg tablets are available for Rs 50 for a 10 tablets pack size, while the generic medicine is available at Rs 5.05 in the Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Leading brands of Metformin HCL 500 mg tablets, which is mostly used to treat diabetes, are three times costlier than the generic drugs in the Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Mandaviya added that leading brands of some of the drugs in the antibiotic segment are also up to 4 times higher. He is reported to have noted that the group of secretaries has already made numerous recommendations for the promotion of generic drugs.

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