States » NorthPosted at: Oct 31 2026 11:29AM


Generic medicines can drastically reduce treatment costs: Shanta Kumar

Palampur, Oct 31 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and former union Minister Shanta Kumar, on Saturday, said patients in India were being exploited through exorbitant prices of branded medicines, and stressed that the use of generic medicines could significantly reduce healthcare costs.
He said a medicine costing Rs 270 was sometimes sold for as much as Rs 27,000 under the MRP system. The issue had even reached the Supreme Court, following which the Central government had taken some important decisions.
Recalling his tenure as a Rajya Sabha member, Shanta Kumar said he had chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, which deliberated on the issue of medicine prices for nearly a year.
The committee had made two major recommendations, including making it mandatory for doctors to prescribe only generic medicines.
He explained that under Indian law, a company enjoys exclusive rights to manufacture a patented medicine for 20 years. After the patent period expires, other companies can manufacture its generic versions.
India is among the world's leading producers of generic medicines, which are also exported to countries such as the United States.
He maintained that generic medicines were as effective and of the same quality as branded medicines but considerably cheaper.
Citing an example from the committee's report, he said a branded cancer drug, Maxowar, was priced at Rs 80,000, but its generic version, manufactured by an Indian company, was available for just Rs 6,000.
Shanta Kumar said the committee had also recommended that pharmaceutical companies should not charge a profit margin exceeding 20 per cent over the cost of medicines, but the government had yet to act on this recommendation.
He welcomed the government's recent directive asking doctors in all departments to prescribe only generic medicines. He said a similar order had been issued earlier but remained confined to official papers.
Effective implementation of the directive would benefit crores of people and substantially reduce the cost of medical treatment, he added.
UNI AR ATP ARN
Tags: #Generic medicines can drastically reduce treatment costs: Shanta Kumar
More News

US, Japan, South Korea agree on Arctic-Pacific cooperation, reaffirm commitment to North Korea denuclearization

31 Oct 2026 | 12:45 PM

Atlanta, Oct 30 (UNI) The United States, Japan and South Korea agreed to explore maritime and economic cooperation in the Pacific Arctic, while reaffirming their commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea.

see more..

NC denies rebellion after legislators meeting over cabinet expansion

31 Oct 2026 | 12:19 PM

Srinagar, Oct 31 (UNI) National Conference (NC) Kashmir Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir on Saturday dismissed reports of a revolt within the ruling party, calling a closed-door meeting of its legislators an “informal gathering in a friendly atmosphere.”
Addressing a press conference, Mir said there was no rebellion against the party leadership or the government. The meeting, held in Srinagar on Friday and attended by several legislators including Mubarik Gul, had fuelled speculation of growing discontent after the recent cabinet expansion.

see more..

Haryana: Rahul's ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’ is ‘shop of lies’, says CM Saini, questions Cong over 1984 anti-Sikh riots

31 Oct 2026 | 12:07 PM

Panchkula, Oct 31 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Saturday, launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ahead of the opposition's November 1 rally in Delhi, describing his much-publicised "Mohabbat Ki Dukaan" (shop of love) slogan as a "shop of lies" and questioning whether the Congress would acknowledge the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, corruption scandals and communal violence during its years in power.

see more..

Arms smugglers shot policeman in Varanasi; three criminals arrested in encounter

31 Oct 2026 | 11:34 AM

Varanasi, Oct 31 (UNI) Arms smugglers opened fire on a police team in the Sundarpur area of Varanasi, on Friday night, injuring constable Amit Shukla, posted with the Lanka police station's crime team.

see more..

Generic medicines can drastically reduce treatment costs: Shanta Kumar

31 Oct 2026 | 11:29 AM

Palampur, Oct 31 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and former union Minister Shanta Kumar, on Saturday, said patients in India were being exploited through exorbitant prices of branded medicines, and stressed that the use of generic medicines could significantly reduce healthcare costs.

see more..