Lok Sabha Question No. 4139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Consumption of Generic Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shardaben Anilbhai Patel, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4139 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2023

## Consumption of Generic Medicines

## 4139.   SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL: SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total consumption of generic medicines in the country in the last three years, State/UTwise and year-wise; and
- (b) the action plan that has been prepared by the Government to increase production and to provide cheap and quality medicines to the public?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

(SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a): As per information provided by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, the total sale of medicines by stockists/ dealers to retailers in the country is estimated as under:

| Year                       | Sales Value (in Cr.)   |
|----------------------------|------------------------|
| 2019-2020                  | 1,44,485.08            |
| 2020-2021                  | 1,47,586.41            |
| 2021-2022                  | 1,69,234.82            |
| April 2022 - December 2022 | 1,40,865.31            |

No separate data, is however, maintained regarding consumption of generic medicines in the country.

## (b):

- i. Department of Pharmaceuticals has taken various steps for increasing production of drugs in the country. In order to encourage the domestic manufacturing of pharmaceutical drugs, including generic medicines, two Production Linked Incentive (PLI)  schemes  have  been  launched,  viz., PLI  Scheme  for  promotion  of  domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/ Drug Intermediates (DIs)/ Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) within an outlay of Rs. 6,940 crores and PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals with an outlay of Rs. 15,000 cr.
- ii. In  order  to  provide  quality  generic  medicines  at  affordable  prices  to  all  citizens, especially  the  poor  and  the  deprived  ones, Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has been launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals wherein
3. about  9,182  dedicated  outlets  known  as Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) have been opened till 28.02.2023.
- iii. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has also taken various regulatory measures to promote and ensure  the  quality  of  generic  medicines.  These  include  instructions  to Licensing Authorities to grant/ renew licenses to manufacture for sale or for distribution of drugs in proper/generic names only, amendment in the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for making it mandatory to grant license for a drug formulation containing single active ingredient in proper name only, and inclusion of provision in the said Rules  for submission of the result of bioequivalence study along with application for grant of manufacturing license in the case of certain drugs.
- iv. Clause  1.5  of  Indian  Medical  Council  (Professional  Conduct,  Etiquette  and  Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational  prescription  and  use  of  drug.  Registered  Medical  Practitioners  have  been directed from time to time to comply with the aforesaid provisions. States have also been advised to ensure prescription of generic drugs and conduct regular prescription audits in public health facilities.
- v. Further,  under  National  Health  Mission  (NHM),  support  is  provided  for  providing essential generic drugs free of cost in public health facilities.

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