Are medicines supposed to be so expensive?

I recently came across the world of generic medicines. On reading more upon it came to understand that the main components of a medicine are the Core drug, Strength, Form and Pack Size. It doesn’t matter which brand you pick as long as the four things above are same. Example Dolo 650MG Tablets, 15 Pack. Core Drug: Paracetamol Strength: 650 MG Form: Tablet Pack: 15 (Strip) Brand Name (optional): Dolo Generic drugs come without a brand/drug name but are as powerful and follow the same quality standards. I was amazed to know that they are consistently 60-80% lower in prices. Can’t imagine how much it could benefit someone suffering from chronic conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension etc. Does anyone know more about this? Why are generics not so common or available and spoken about? Or is it that in late to the party 😀

jake_peralta_B99

Unemployed

2 months ago

Generics have been there for so many years. You are allowed to make generics only when the patent on the new drug expires. So, it would never have latest meds for years! Also, since the margin is low, especially in India where pharma laws and enforcement are a joke and human lives are worth shit, there's no guarantee on if the medicine you take actually has the medicine and in the quantity specified

EasyChill

Stealth

2 months ago

Drugs with patents could be an exception. But exclusive niche drugs are not what people are having for common diseases/conditions on a regular basis.

Aragorn_urf_Maverick

Accenture

2 months ago

- Brand signifies quality. Lack of branding gives impression that med is substandard. - pharmacists earn less commission or margin in generic meds so they don’t keep stock of those. Thus end consumers are not aware about those.

EasyChill

Stealth

2 months ago

1. So generics should also create a brand then? 2. I believe pharmacists have a very small role. Demand generation is happening from the doctor who is writing the prescriptions. People ideally expect to get the same unless something is unavailable (recommendation scenario).

Aragorn_urf_Maverick

Accenture

2 months ago

Try asking a generic medicine to a chemist. They won’t have that.