Mysuru: Lot of people do not know the difference between a generic medicine and the routine medicines that are available in medical stores. However, here in Mysuru, District in-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa opted to have a filmy example to explain the difference.
Inaugurating the state third Jan Aushadi Centre and first of the district at the JSS Hospital, Mahadevappa said that the components of the generic medicines are same as their branded counterparts, but what adds to the value of branded medicines is the brand value itself, advertising and the marketing strategy.
To take it a step forward, he said that it is same as Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai. “We have so many beautiful girls…. certainly more beautiful than Aishwarya Rai. But, since Aishwarya is frequently appears in advertisements, we feel that she is more attractive. This is the same case with the branded drugs and generic medicines,” he said adding that there is a need to inform, communicate and educate people about generic medicines.
He said that the generic medicines are available at 60 per cent lesser rate when compared to branded drugs and this can be a boon to a country like India, where health care is still a distant dream for many. “Even after seventeen years of Alma Ata declaration, we are not able to provide primary health care to 25 to 30 percent of people in the country. During the time of UPA government, under its national health mission these schemes were introduced. Though under 12th planning commission we took a decision to set up generic stores in hospital premises, many states in India are not fully prepared and committed to implement national health programs successfully. Though central and state have come out with various health policies, time and again medical treatment is not affordable by common man”.
B Suresh, Vice Chancellor, JSS Medical University said that a total of 649 items comprising of 495 medicines and 154 surgical and consumables are made available in the Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Efforts are on to take the total number of medicines available in these stores to one thousand. Medicines made available in the Jan Aushadhi cover all the most commonly known therapeutic categories including for diabetic and blood pressure and hypertension. The scheme was launched on the fact that, making available reasonably priced quality medicines in the market would benefit everyone, especially the poor and the disadvantaged”. He also requested doctors to prescribe generic medicines especially to poor patients who can’t afford to buy branded medicines. On the occasion for the welfare of the people he also requested Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji to open such centres across Karnataka where JSS centres are there.
Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt said “Based on response at this centre we will plan to set up such centres at other places. The centre is also gift for the people and also followers of Kanakadasa”. MLA Vasu, Somashekar and GT Devegowda were also present.
