‘Quality of generic drugs in question’

The Indian Medical Association’s Maharashtra chapter on Thursday said that the government’s generic medicine scheme — Janaushadhi Pariyojana — has seen drugs being recalled six times in the last three months.

“Six batches have failed the quality standards,” said Dr. Parthiv Sanghvi, secretary of the State unit of the IMA. Dr. Sanghvi condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comment that Indian doctors were shying away from prescribing generic medicines.

Dr. Sanghvi said that the Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India, which oversees the distribution of drugs in the generic drug stores known as Janaushadhi Kendras, do not have a quality control manager.

He said, “As doctors, we have been always willing to prescribe generic drugs. But who is going to vouch for the quality?” The doctors have written to the Prime Minister’s office condemning his statements made during his recent visit to London.