Chennai: Pharmaceutical companies, along with the Chemists and Druggists Association of Tamil Nadu, are set to provide branded generic medicines at discounted prices across all retail outlets statewide via a significant push to promote generic medicines.

The New Developments Are:The Launch of Generic Medicine Racks:

• Retail medical shops in Tiruvarur will sell branded generics starting from the first week of January 2025, and retailers will create separate racks for generic medicines, ensuring quality assurance and convenience for customers.

State-Sponsored Program:

• With the establishment of Mudhalvar Marunthagam-a network of generic pharmacies-ahead of the generic pharmacy program, over 600 retail outlets in Tiruvarur will be launched in January to sell generic medicines at a discount.

• Mudhalvar Marunthagam is set to launch on January 14, modeled on the Jan Aushadhi initiative.

Collaboration with the district committees:

• The district committee from the TN Pharma Traders Association from Madurai will consider on December 22 a business program put into practice by the Tiruvarur Chemists and Druggists Association.

• Plans to replicate this in other districts are afoot.

Direct Competition with Pricing:

• The association will fix the prices of the generic medicines lower than those of Jan Aushadhi stores and at par with cooperative pharmacies.

• The stores will also provide generic versions of other patented-branded drugs upon their request.

Retailers Raise Concerns:

• Concerns were raised by the association against the online drug business and against the various state-sponsored generic drug schemes running, asking the government to involve retail chemists in further expansion initiatives.

• Doing this would ensure that generic medicines become easily available in every state, rural and urban.

Significance:
This initiative will result in:

• Greater availability of inexpensive medicines in Tamil Nadu for all.

• Lesser dependence on high-priced branded drugs.

• Greater acceptance of generics by the people, both helping patients and the local chemists.