Despite its advantages, generic medicines could not become popular with the people due to misconceptions and ignorance associated with it. But now, Dawai Dost is here to turn things around.
The third outlet of this chain of ‘charity shop’, selling medicines and surgical equipments at throwaway prices, began operations at Rajendra Institute of Medical on Thursday. On the entrance to the shop, one comes across the price list quoting discounts of up to 90 per cent and more on medicines and a poster answering questions usually asked regarding generic drugs.
“Because of the indifference generic medicine has received from medical practitioners, people have become hesitant about using them. This initiative also functions like an awareness programme – we want people to know what generic medicines actually are, to assure them about their efficacy,” stated Raj Bairoliya, trustee of Poddar and Bairoliya Trust, the organisation which started Dawai Dost.
Medicines we wrongly take to be branded medicines are actually generic drugs, said Bairoliya on difference between branded and generic medicine.
He said, “Technically, branded medicine is a drug discovered, developed and marketed by a pharmaceutical company, which holds the patent for that particular drug. The entire process takes years and millions of dollars, thus are retailed at a high price.”
“Whereas, generic medicine is a drug discovered long back and no longer protected by patent. Anyone, anywhere with the appropriate knowledge and licence can make them, that to at less than the fraction of the price of developing the drug. We commonly buy generic medicine, knowing them to be branded, at a price which is ten times their wholesale rates,” he further added.
Medical representatives pursue doctors to prescribe medicines manufactured by their company and people buy that same medicine, without even considering alternative options. The demand thus generated is then exploited by drug manufacturers by charging more for medicines which should have been sold for less as generics.
“Operating on no-profit basis, we price medicines only enough to cover the salary of our staff and rent, where needed. Our only motive is to provide cheaper medicine to those who need it,” said Bairoliya.
People also are apprehensive of the effectiveness of generic drugs, but that worry can be put to rest at Dawai Dost, Bairoliya assured. “My family members purchase their medicines from this shop, what more assurance can I offer. We offer medicines from brands like Cipla, Knoll, lupin, Ranbaxy, Elder and others, brands which are trusted by patients and doctors. We have even asked doctors to suggest medicines that we can add to our stocks. Quality and effectiveness are not a problem with generic medicine,” he said.
Dawai Dost has received good response too, the crowd at the counter affirms that.
“Buyers from every economic section frequent all three of our shops. Even doctors here at RIMS also purchase medicines for their personal use from us,” informed store manager Sanjiv Singh.
But will the shop be able to keep up with the demand. The shopkeepers reply in affirmative.
“The Government-run generics shops have their stocks refilled from Delhi, whereas we contact local pharmacists to replenish our stocks. In case we have run out of a particular medicine, it will be with us within an hour,” Bairoliya said.
“Dawai Dost has been a great help, the medicine here are much cheaper than those sold by other medical stores nearby. When we return after a month, we will take our medicines from here only,” stated Roop Narayan Das, who came from Giridih to get his daughter treated at RIMS orthopaedic OPD.