The government has directed that pharmaceutical companies should print generic names of drugs, and fixed dose combination of two drugs in the same font, but two font sizes larger than the companys brand name for the drug.

In a move aimed at promoting unbranded drugs and reducing the cost of healthcare, the government has asked all pharmaceutical companies to print generic names of medicines more prominently than their own brand names.

The amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, released by the ministry of health and family welfare, will be effective September 13.

The government has directed that pharmaceutical companies should print generic names of drugs, and fixed dose combination of two drugs in the same font, but two font sizes larger than the companys brand name for the drug.

For other medicine packets, companies will have to print the brand name of the formulation in brackets below or after the generic names.

The government had released the draft amendment in April.

Earlier, the Medical Council of India had ordered doctors to mention generic names of drugs on prescriptions.

The moves are likely to promote use of unbranded generic drugs and likely reduce the cost of healthcare in India, Chemicals Minister Ananth Kumar had said at a press conference last year.