PMBJPs generic drugs upto 96 percent cheaper than branded equivalents

New Delhi: The government is selling generic medicines at prices cheaper by up to 96 percent compared to their branded generic equivalents through its Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras, Parliament was informed.

In a written reply to a query in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh L Mandaviya said: "Branded generic medicines are generally sold at higher prices in comparison to their unbranded generic equivalents."

Giving a list of price comparison, he said Gemcitabine 1,000 mg vial injection used for the treatment of bladder cancer has an average market price of Rs 6,412.04 for three top brands, but the PMBJP price is Rs 631.21, a saving of 90.15 percent for the patients.

Similarly, commonly used atorvastatin 10 mg 10 tablets (cholesterol lowering) are sold at Rs 8.02 in the PMBJPs while the average market price of top three brands is Rs 70. This provides a saving of Rs 88.54 percent, the minister added.

Tadalafil 20 mg 4 tablets (used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction) that have an average market price of Rs 209.43 for top three branded medicines are being sold at Rs 7.63 in PMBJPs, which is 96.35 percent cheaper.

As on December 27, 2017, there are 3,033 functional PMBJP Kendras in the country, Mandaviya said.