The Bitter Pill: Why Are Medicines So Expensive in India?
Ever wondered why your prescribed medicine costs double, even if the same drug exists cheaper? Let’s uncover pharma’s profit game and how you can avoid overpaying.
Have you ever stood at the pharmacy counter, holding a strip of medicine that cost you ₹150, only to later discover that the exact same drug—same formula, same manufacturer—is available for ₹104 under a different name? I did. And it stung.
This article isn’t a rant. It’s a wake-up call—for patients, caregivers, and everyday people like you and me. What I’m about to share isn’t hearsay. It’s based on publicly discussed examples and conversations, originally spotted on a LinkedIn post. The aim? To educate, not expose. Because in a country where medical bills can drain life savings, we deserve to know the truth behind those shiny medicine boxes.
The Shocking Price Game Behind the Pharmacy Counter
Let me give you a real-world example that hits close to home:
Shelcal HD (marketed by Torrent): ₹150
Cipcal HD (marketed by Cipla): ₹104
➡️ Both are manufactured by the same company: Pure and Cure Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Uttarakhand.
Let that sink in.
Two medicines.
Same ingredients.
Same manufacturer.
50% price difference.
It’s like paying ₹100 for a bottle of Coke just because Reliance is selling it instead of Metro. Would you? Then why is this acceptable with medicines?
The truth? You’re not paying for the drug—you’re paying for branding, prescription channels, and marketing margins.
“But Research Is Expensive!” — A Convenient Excuse?
Pharma companies often justify exorbitant pricing by waving the R&D flag.
But let’s dissect that:
The medicines in question are already on pharmacy shelves.
They’re not novel molecules. These are generic drugs.
The actual cost of producing a strip of tablets? Often ₹10–₹20.
Chemists often get it for ₹28 and sell it for ₹170—earning over 500% profit!
So, what research are we paying for? Which lab costs are being recovered when the drug has been mass-produced for years?
Branded vs Generic: What’s the Real Difference?
The Marketing Mirage
Companies often split medicines into two categories:
Branded: Marketed with flashy names, often pushed through doctor prescriptions.
Generic: Technically the same, but sold under less recognizable names, often through retail without prescription pressure.
Take the case of:
Olox-OZ (generic) – Wholesale: ₹28, MRP: ₹170
Oflox-OZ (branded) – Wholesale: ₹130, MRP: ₹170
Both have Cipla branding, yet the profit margins for chemists vary wildly. One gives them ₹140 per strip, the other barely ₹40.
Now imagine a patient walks in with a doctor’s prescription for Oflox-OZ. If the pharmacist offers Olox-OZ instead (same ingredients, same brand family), they earn 3x the profit. That’s why this switch happens silently, without your knowledge.
And that’s not even illegal—just ethically grey.
What's In a Name? Apparently, Your Money.
A missing letter can cost you hundreds.
In one example, a patient asked for Oflox-OZ. They got Olox-OZ instead—same company, slightly different packaging, different tablet color, and a drastically different profit margin for the chemist.
The only visual difference was a missing "F."
Now think: if you’re unwell, rushing, or caring for a child or elderly parent, would you notice such a minor discrepancy?
This is how patients are gamed in broad daylight.
The Hidden Channels of Prescriptions
Doctors often prescribe brand-specific medicines—like Shelcal or Oflox—under influence, relationships with pharma reps, or simply habit.
This creates a funnel:
Doctor prescribes a “premium” branded drug.
You buy it blindly, assuming it's best.
The chemist makes a big margin.
You end up paying 50–90% more than needed.
Now the punchline: both the ₹104 and the ₹150 drug are generic formulations. Just marketed differently.
So if the doctor insists on a certain brand, always ask: “Can I have the generic equivalent?”
And read the composition and manufacturer printed on the strip.
Shouldn't the Government Regulate This?
India does have the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), which caps the price of essential medicines. But most branded generics (like Shelcal or Oflox) slip through the cracks because:
Companies market different “variants” of the same molecule.
Branding allows price leeway.
DPCO focuses only on drugs listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
But even within NLEM, pharma companies find ways to rebrand or tweak formulations just enough to escape price caps.
Voice of the Patient: It’s Time We Asked These Questions
Why should I pay ₹170 for a strip that costs ₹28 to the chemist?
Why is the name of the marketer in bold, while the actual manufacturer is hidden in tiny print?
Why can’t we make same-font-size manufacturer and marketer names mandatory?
Why isn’t composition and cost transparency a legal requirement?
We don’t need pharma exposés. We need pharma transparency.
✅ Actionable Tips for Patients
Always ask for generic alternatives.
Use medicine comparison apps like 1mg, MedGuide, or PharmEasy to check prices and compositions.
Read the fine print. Look at both the manufacturer and marketer names.
Buy from reputable pharmacies that are open to offering generic equivalents.
Store your prescriptions digitally and cross-check ingredients.
Ask your doctor: Is there a lower-cost equivalent with the same salt and dosage?
Don’t get fooled by color, packaging, or big brand logos.
This article isn’t anti-pharma. It’s pro-patient.
We understand that businesses need profits, and good R&D deserves rewards. But when companies sell the same pill at double the price—just by switching names—it’s not innovation. It’s manipulation.
We all have a right to quality healthcare, and that begins with affordable and transparent access to medicine.
So next time you walk into a pharmacy, walk in informed.
Key Takeaways: Let me take you back to something that hit me not just in the pocket but in the gut—literally. While on vacation, a bad stomach had me reaching for “Oflox-OZ,” a standard prescription antibiotic combo. But what I got from the chemist was something called “Olox-OZ.” Same salt, same company, almost the same MRP—but one tiny missing “F” made all the difference.
I later learned that Olox-OZ was bought for ₹28 wholesale and sold to me for ₹170. That’s a 507% markup. And here's the kicker—they’re both from Cipla! Welcome to India’s warped world of pharma pricing, where branding, font sizes, and doctor channels determine the price you pay, not the medicine's quality or composition.
Let’s dig into how this game is played, why it matters to every Indian household, and how you can stop being silently looted in the name of healthcare.
1. Identical Drugs, Absurd Price Gaps
Take these two:
Shelcal HD (by Torrent): ₹150
Cipcal HD (by Cipla): ₹104
Same composition. Same manufacturer. Manufactured by Pure and Cure Healthcare, both.
So why the ₹46 price gap?
You’re essentially being sold the same Coca-Cola in two different bottles—one branded Reliance and another Metro—but paying 50% more just because your doctor scribbled one name over another. Sounds unfair? It is. But it gets worse.
2. The Real Manufacturer vs. The “Marketing” Mask
Most people never read beyond the brand name. But did you know that in many cases, the drug you're buying isn't even made by the company on the strip?
Take Shelcal and Cipcal again. They're both marketed by different companies but manufactured by the same third-party company in Uttarakhand. Just like a “white-label” product on Amazon.
But here’s the trick: The marketer's name (Cipla, Torrent, etc.) is huge, and the actual manufacturer's name is tiny or hidden in hard-to-read grey font. Why? Because if people knew they were buying the same thing, they’d choose the cheaper one.
Pro tip: Flip the strip. Look for “manufactured by.” You’ll be surprised how often it’s the same across brands.
3. Generic vs. Ethical – A Dangerous Marketing Lie
You’ll often hear:
“This one’s ethical, not generic.”
Sounds responsible, right? Like “ethical chocolate” or “organic milk.” Except in pharma, “ethical” just means it's sold through a doctor prescription channel. That’s it. It doesn’t mean it’s safer, better, or more effective.
For instance:
Olox-OZ (₹28 wholesale)
Oflox-OZ (₹130 wholesale)
Both have Ofloxacin + Ornidazole. Both made by Cipla. Same tablet. One gives chemists a 90% profit. The other? Barely 30%. The one pushed through doctor prescriptions is the expensive one.
So what are we really paying for? Doctor loyalty rewards?
4. Is Research the Excuse? Let’s Debunk That
Pharma companies often justify high prices with:
“But research costs money!”
But let’s pause here. We’re talking about generic drugs—molecules like Ofloxacin, Paracetamol, Pantoprazole—developed 30–40 years ago. Their patents have expired. There’s no research happening here. Just manufacturing, packaging, and distribution.
So unless you're buying a novel cancer drug or a new biologic, this excuse is a myth. In reality, what you're paying for is branding, doctor incentives, and pharma profit margins.
5. Let’s Talk Margins—This Will Shock You
Let’s break down some real-life examples:
Paracetamol (500 mg)
Crocin Advance (GSK): ₹30 | Wholesale: ₹10
Calpol (Abbott): ₹25 | Wholesale: ₹8
Generic Paracetamol: ₹15 | Wholesale: ₹5
Pantoprazole 40mg
Pantocid (Sun Pharma): ₹90 | Wholesale: ₹25
Pan 40 (Alkem): ₹80 | Wholesale: ₹22
Generic: ₹40 | Wholesale: ₹12
Same medicine. Up to 300% markup.
Azithromycin 500mg
Azithral (Alembic): ₹120 | Wholesale: ₹40
Azee (Cipla): ₹110 | Wholesale: ₹35
Generic: ₹60 | Wholesale: ₹20
Do the math. There are chemists making ₹90 on a single ₹120 strip, and doctors getting incentives for prescribing those exact “ethical” brands.
6. How the Prescription Game Works
It’s a twisted ecosystem:
Pharma reps push branded drugs to doctors.
Doctors write specific brands, not compositions.
Chemists stock brands that offer highest margins.
Patients, clueless and sick, blindly buy what’s prescribed.
So you, the patient, become the target customer in a business loop designed to maximize profit per illness.
7. Why the Government’s Hands Are Tied (Or Are They?)
Sure, there’s the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO). It caps prices of some “essential medicines.” But:
It doesn’t cover most branded drugs.
Companies often tweak formulations slightly to dodge controls.
Third-party manufacturing hides real costs.
Even when rules exist, enforcement is lax, and the “ethical loophole” remains untouched.
What Can You Do? Smart Steps to Beat the System
1. Ask for the composition.
Don't say “Give me Shelcal.” Say: “I want Calcium + Vitamin D3, 500mg + 400 IU.”
2. Compare on apps like 1mg or NetMeds.
These show price comparisons across brands and manufacturers.
3. Check the manufacturing company.
Turn the strip. Compare. You’ll often see it’s the same factory.
4. Push your doctor to write generic names.
Say: “Please write the salt name, not the brand. I’ll find a quality generic.”
5. Educate your parents and elders.
They’re the most vulnerable to blind trust in brand names.
You Deserve Transparency, Not Exploitation
I’m not against doctors. I respect many. Nor am I against pharma companies making a fair profit.
But when the same medicine costs double or triple, simply because of branding or hidden deals, it’s not just unethical—it’s robbery. And the worst part? Most patients never know.
You have every right to question, to compare, and to choose. Don’t let jargon, font sizes, or white coats fool you into overpaying.
This isn’t just about saving money. It’s about justice in healthcare.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓Why are two medicines with the same ingredients priced so differently?
Answer: Due to branding, marketing, and prescription routes. One might be a “branded generic” pushed by pharma reps, while the other is a low-margin generic.
❓Is there any difference in quality between a branded and a generic drug?
Answer: Not if manufactured by a reputable company. Check the manufacturing company, not just the brand. Same factory = same quality.
❓Why do doctors prescribe expensive brands?
Answer: Many receive incentives, samples, or are trained by pharma reps to push specific brands. It’s part of the “ethical” channel.
❓Are generic medicines safe?
Yes, if sourced from licensed pharmacies and made by registered manufacturers. Look for CDSCO or WHO GMP certifications.
❓Can I ask my doctor to write only the composition?
Yes. You have the right to request prescriptions by salt name. Government guidelines actually encourage this.
❓How can I verify medicine prices before buying?
Use trusted apps like Tata 1mg, Netmeds, or PharmEasy to compare MRP and generic options.
❓Is there a government tool to report overpriced medicines?
Yes. You can report to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) via their helpline or website.
❓ What is the difference between branded and generic medicine?
Branded medicines are sold under a company name with marketing; generics are the same formulation sold under a non-branded name. Both are often manufactured in the same facility.
❓ Why are some medicines priced higher even if the composition is the same?
Branding, doctor prescription channels, and marketing allow companies to charge more, even for identical drugs.
❓ Are generic medicines safe?
Yes, as long as they’re approved by regulatory bodies and sourced from licensed pharmacies, they are as safe and effective as branded versions.
❓ How can I know if two medicines are the same?
Check the salt name, strength (e.g., 500mg), and form (tablet, syrup). You can use medicine comparison apps or consult your pharmacist.
❓ What should I do if my doctor insists on a specific brand?
Ask if a lower-cost generic with the same active ingredient is available. Most ethical doctors will understand.
❓ Is it legal for chemists to substitute generic versions?
In India, chemists can offer substitutes if not explicitly marked "No substitution" on the prescription. But they should inform you.
❓ How can I file a complaint about overpriced drugs?
You can approach the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) or raise a grievance via https://www.nppaindia.nic.in/.
If you found this article eye-opening, share it with your family, especially your parents or elderly relatives. Let’s make sure no one pays ₹150 for a ₹28 pill again.
Written with outrage, research, and a whole lot of real-life frustration. Because your health shouldn’t cost you your dignity or your savings.
Note: The information provided in this article is for educational and awareness purposes only. Examples and references are taken from publicly available discussions and do not intend to defame any brand or company.
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