Dear Chetna and all,

Thank u for expressing ur concern  on me-too medicines.

If the situation in developed countries is not healthy what would happen in India ?

The Pharma. companies have their own reasons/ opinions which lead to development of me-too drugs.

But the most disturbing fact is the regulatory agencies including FDA are not obliged to consider better efficacy over existing drugs as a criterion for approval .

However, historically many me-too drugs have proved to be better than their original drugs.

e.g a series of beta blockers after propranolol, ranitidine, famotidine after cimetidine,recently pioglitazone from troglitazone which was toxic and withdrawn.

So , what should be done ?

Our regulatory agencies need to identify and withdraw the me-too drugs in the market which are no better and creating confusion for consumers and prescribers.

But who will bell the cat ?

Mira Desai