CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal : With growing scrutiny around the quality and reliability of generic medicines in India, Medkart, Gujarat’s largest generic-first pharmacy chain, is stepping forward to assure patients that affordability does not mean compromise. In response to increasing consumer concerns, the company has reinforced its Medkart Assured program—rooted in audit-based sourcing, Schedule M compliance, and continuous recertification.
“Price matters—but quality is non-negotiable. Medkart ensures every medicine on our shelves not only saves you money but also meets India’s highest manufacturing and safety standards,” said Ankur Agarwal, Co-founder of Medkart.
The Generic Dilemma: Cost vs. Confidence
India’s generic drug market, valued at over USD 24 billion as per Invest India, continues to face consumer trust issues domestically. A 2025 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reported that patients often harbour doubts about the safety and effectiveness of generics, particularly in oncology and cardiovascular segments. The study emphasizes that inconsistent communication by healthcare providers and a lack of robust manufacturer-level visibility are key barriers to trust. Moreover, WHO-backed reviews have highlighted that enforcement of quality regulations—especially in smaller manufacturing units—is uneven, contributing to a fragmented trust ecosystem. These systemic challenges, combined with low awareness and historical overreliance on branded drugs, reinforce the incorrect perception that affordability comes at the cost of efficacy.
What Is Schedule M—and Why It Matters
To combat this, Medkart has aligned all its procurement processes with Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act—a stringent regulatory guideline that specifies Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical production. Schedule M, as outlined by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (Schedule M-1 Guidelines), covers standards for equipment, hygiene, storage, testing, and documentation—ensuring that every medicine manufactured is traceable and safe for consumption.
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