The realm of pharma and healthcare is undergoing a transformative shift after the National Medical Council’s recent proposal that urges doctors to consider recommending generic alternatives to their patients instead of branded drugs. However, this directive has led to a division within the medical field.

On one hand, generic medicines play a pivotal role in substantially reducing the cost of medicines by 30 to 80 percent, which in turn facilitates affordable healthcare for all. On the other hand, concerns regarding their trustworthiness, standardization, and compound composition still leave a lot of room for debate.

The Trust Factor

One of the primary factors contributing to this debate is the trustworthiness. When it comes to branded medicines, there is a certain amount of trust and credibility placed in the brand name. It is not just about the price tag but about transparency of the manufacturing process and knowledge of its composition. Patients tend to trust the quality and genuineness of a well-known brand, just as they would trust a reputable manufacturer for high-end electronics. Doctors, too, emphasize the importance of this trust factor in medication.

The Standardisation and Composition Challenge

When it comes to generic medicines, grappling with the issue of combination drugs is still a major challenge. In the treatment of critical conditions, any variation in the composition of medicines can come as a potential threat. Generic medicines are required to have the same active ingredients as that of their branded counterparts, however, there is no such mandate on the inactive ingredients, which can potentially differ. Switching between generic and branded drugs can be tricky in some cases as it may affect the drug’s efficacy or patient tolerance.

Cost vs. Cure Balance

As we mentioned above, the pricing aspect of the generic variant gives it an added advantage when it comes to an affordable and cost-effective solution for healthcare. But it is of utmost importance to achieve a striking balance between the cost and cure aspects under this scope. While this cost-saving potential is appealing, doctors must weigh it against the effectiveness of treatment. Many doctors argue that they do provide cost-effective options to their patients when suitable, but it's not as simple as insisting only on the generic drug. Prescribing a generic alternative is not as straightforward as it seems. Considerations like the patient’s medical history, drug interactions, body adaptation, and individual response to therapy need to be taken into account. The debate is not really about generic vs. branded; it’s about what’s best for the patient’s pocket without undermining their health.

Davai, at its core, understands the fundamental need to provide a reliable and trusted source and hence makes sure the responsibility is duly fulfilled. All manufacturers on the app are meticulously verified with trusted, premium quality stock to ensure the best of affordable healthcare for the entire nation.