LIFESTYLE
Relief from expensive cancer treatment! Generic medicines can change the fate of patients in India
According to ICMR, about 13.9 lakh cancer cases were reported in the country in 2020 and this number is likely to reach 15.7 lakh by 2025. But along with the increasing cases of cancer, its expensive medicines and cost of treatment also remain a big crisis for the patients.
For example, a single dose of a drug called trastuzumab used to treat breast cancer costs between Rs 75,000 and Rs 1 lakh, while lenalidomide used to treat multiple myeloma can cost between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2 lakh per month. Due to such expensive treatment, it becomes almost impossible for poor and middle class families to get cancer treatment.
How can generic drugs make a difference?
Generic drugs are an affordable alternative to branded drugs, containing the same active ingredients and being just as effective. These drugs cost 50-80% less than branded drugs, making treatment more accessible to cancer patients.
Generic drugs
are produced on a large scale in India and if the government and the pharma industry promote it, then cheap and effective medicines can be made available to millions of patients. However, many doctors and hospitals still prefer branded medicines because they get more profit from them. Apart from this, many patients also believe that branded medicines are more effective, while scientific research indicates the opposite.
Awareness and government initiative is necessary
To make cancer treatment affordable and accessible in India, the government will have to promote the use of generic medicines. For this, awareness campaigns are necessary so that both patients and doctors can understand the quality and effectiveness of generic medicines. Also, the availability of high quality generic medicines should be ensured by increasing investment in domestic production.
Disclaimer: Dear reader, thank you for reading this news. This news has been written only to make you aware. We have taken the help of general information in writing this. If you read anything related to your health anywhere, then definitely consult a doctor before adopting it.
