The government has directed the doctors at government run hospitals to abstain from prescribing any branded drugs and only prescribe quality low-cost generic drugs.

Generic drugs have the same potency as that of branded drugs from reputed pharmaceutical companies. However the significantly low cost of these generic drugs makes it more affordable for the masses. This low rate is due to the low manufacturing cost. Popular brands of paracetmol (500mg) cost somewhere around Rs. 10 per strip, while the same medicine costs as low as Rs. 2.45 if the generic variant is chosen over the branded strip. This approach by the Government will help to free the public health system from the stranglehold of various pharmaceutical companies.
Source-Medindia