The Brand Drug Survives

From the first of January 2008 generic names of drugs began to appear on prescriptions, in conformity with regulations. All the generic names of compound brand drugs are enumerated, Pharmacists, became busy referring drug indexes to locate the brand to dispense the brand.

Towards the tail end of January, brand drugs made a victorious comeback on prescriptions, in the wake of medical agitation, bringing hope to brand drug importers, Medical Reps and to patients seeking cures.

Doctors are reluctant to prescribe drugs by their generic names conscious of the unpalatable fact that the pharmacist, salesman or dispenser will eagerly dispense the brand drug of his choice, with the inducement of the brand drug importers. To the advantage of the Pharmacist, generic name drugs are meager and scarce. He cannot be faulted for using his professional discretion and pharmacy prejudices. Sri Lanka has a glut of quality approved, drug Authority registered drugs from Asian countries. They are launched with a bang. Some of them are prescribed for some time depending on promotion. Others disappear with a whimper. Some others become victims of I quality failure and are consigned to oblivion.

Discriminating doctors and patients opt for the traditional brands. The British, National Formulary, the prescribing hand book of Doctors contains brands which are the most sought after for treatment.

There is a current prescribing fad, by a few, for dietary supplements, which mainstream allopathy rejects as they are incompatible with evidence based medicine.

Prescribing should be motivated by principles, ideals and values and not impelled by promotional persuasion.