A groundbreaking citizen-funded study has delivered a powerful message to Indian consumers: the quality of affordable generic medicines is on par with their expensive branded counterparts. This revelation comes even as prices for some top brands can be a staggering 14 times higher for the exact same drug.
Citizen Science Uncovers Truth About Medicine Quality
The findings emerge from the Citizens Generic vs Branded Drugs Quality Project, spearheaded by the Kerala-based non-profit, Mission for Ethics and Science in Healthcare. The project, led by renowned hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (widely known as The Liver Doc), tested 131 samples of 22 widely used medicines. These drugs treat common conditions like heart disease, diabetes, liver disorders, infections, pain, acidity, allergies, and thyroid problems.
The study's scope was comprehensive, covering top-branded drugs, branded generics from large pharmaceutical companies, trade or local generics, and government-supplied medicines under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). All samples were purchased directly from pharmacies to ensure real-world testing conditions.
Rigorous Testing Confirms Parity
Testing was conducted at a laboratory accredited by both the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Each sample was evaluated across five critical Indian Pharmacopoeia parameters: drug content, dissolution, uniformity, impurities, and physical appearance.
The results were unequivocal. All generic medicines met the prescribed quality standards and performed equally as well as the branded medicines. There was no discernible difference in the fundamental quality and efficacy between the low-cost and high-cost options.
The Staggering Price Gap and Its Impact on Health
Where the study found a dramatic difference was in price. The average price per tablet for branded medicines was Rs 11.17, compared to just Rs 2.4 for Jan Aushadhi drugs. Several trade generics were also significantly cheaper. For specific medicines like pantoprazole, atorvastatin, and rifaximin, branded versions cost five to 14 times more than the cheapest quality-tested alternatives.
This price disparity has serious public health consequences. Given that Indians spend 62% to 69% of their total healthcare expenditure on medicines, high prices often force patients to miss doses, take medicines irregularly, or abandon treatment altogether, especially for chronic illnesses requiring long-term therapy.
Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, noted that lower-cost medicines, including Jan Aushadhi drugs, meet Indian Pharmacopoeia standards and are effective. He stated that while doctors are comfortable prescribing these to cost-constrained patients, consistent availability, wider dose options, and batch-to-batch consistency need improvement to support wider adoption.
Dr. Sandeep Kharb, Senior Consultant in Endocrinology at Asian Hospital, affirmed that the results mirror clinical experience. Patients on affordable versions of common drugs like metformin, amlodipine, and levothyroxine do just as well as those on expensive brands. He emphasized that rigorous testing in accredited labs should alleviate quality concerns, and affordability is crucial for long-term treatment adherence.
Building Trust, Not Just Controlling Prices
The authors of the study argue that the core issue is not merely price control but a lack of transparency and trust. In the absence of easily accessible quality data, both doctors and patients frequently rely on brand perception rather than scientific evidence, leading to considerable and unnecessary financial and health costs.
The project highlights how fear and mistrust of cheaper medicines, which is not evidence-based, often push patients away from continuing their treatment. This citizen-led initiative provides the hard data needed to challenge misconceptions and advocates for a healthcare system where affordable, quality-assured medicines are the trusted norm, ensuring no patient has to choose between their health and their finances.
