The health department of Kerala government is contemplating to include ‘branded generics’ of popular manufacturers into the free supply of government run hospitals. The move is in a bid dispel the impression that generic drugs are inferior to expensive brands and build the confidence of patients seeking treatment in the government hospitals.

Kerala State Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KSMSCL) will be entering into separate agreements with major pharmaceutical companies for the purpose.

According to Biju Prabhakar, the managing director of the KSMSCL, the new initiative will widen the range of drugs available through government hospital pharmacies and the mindset of the patients. The Corporation will supply the branded products only to the government hospitals. This is the first initiative of a state government in the country to supply branded drugs free of cost to patients, he claimed.

According to the director, there will be no additional financial burden on government on account of this initiative. The companies coming through tender procedures will reduce the prices of their brands, so that poor patients also get quality medicines required for treating the diseases.

“Our people are very much educated and sensitive, but unimpressed by the medicines of unknown companies. All the governments are promoting generic products, but people prefer branded items of major companies. In order to instil confidence into the people with regard to the drugs availed freely through government hospital pharmacies, products of major players will be procured from companies which have secured contract through tender process. The Corporation has agreement with the suppliers for branded generics to avail through loan licence or on job contracts,” he told Pharmabiz.

Every year KSMSCL purchases eight categories of drugs and surgical items worth Rs.250 crore for free supply from various companies. So far there is no issue raised because of any quality problem, but 20 companies were blacklisted for improper supply, said Biju Prabhakar.

While hailing the new initiative adopted by the Kerala Health Department, K P Purushothaman, the secretary of Kerala Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KPMA), said inclusion of branded generics into the free supply of medicines through government hospitals is a welcome steps. He said KSMSCL should consider the manufacturing companies of the state while new schemes are introduced. The manufacturing companies in Kerala can also supply to the corporation all kinds of drugs through loan licence and contract manufacturing schemes, Purushothaman added.