OTC Drugs in India: ‘Where Art Thou?’

It is now a widely accepted fact that responsible self-medication plays an important role in health care, facilitating greater access to medicines and reducing overall health care cost. With continued improvement in people’s education, general knowledge and socioeconomic conditions, self-medication has … Continue reading

An Interesting demand: No Price Control For OTC Drugs

Since over a decade, some pharma trade organizations operating in India, have been advocating for a separate regulatory policy for ‘Over The Counter (OTC)’ drugs, which can be legally sold without any medical prescriptions. Such a new policy initiative, if taken by … Continue reading

How Relevant Is A Pharma Brand Name To Patients?

Are brand names necessary for medicines? Well – its’s a contentious issue, at least, as on date. It becomes the subject of a raging debate when the same question is slightly modified to: – Are brand names necessary for prescription … Continue reading

Should ‘Pharma Marketing’ Be In The Line of Fire?

Close to half a century ago, Peter Drucker – the Management Guru wrote: As the purpose of business is to create customers, any business enterprise has two basic functions: marketing and innovation. Drucker’s concept is so fundamental in nature that it will possibly never change, ever. That innovation … Continue reading

Prescriptions in Generic Names Be Made A Must in India?

Would prescriptions in generic names be made a must in India? Yes, that’s what Prime Minister Modi distinctly hinted at on April 17, 2017, during the inauguration function of a charitable hospital in Surat. To facilitate this process, his government … Continue reading

Nutraceuticals: Still An Oasis Amidst Well-Regulated Pharmaceuticals

On November 24, 2016, the food-safety watchdog of India announced that health supplements or Nutraceuticals cannot be sold as ‘medicines’ anymore. This new regulatory standard has been set for the manufacturers of Nutraceuticals and food supplements, and is aimed at … Continue reading