The Indian healthcare system is undergoing a transformation that most individuals do not perceive, and that has had many implications on daily life. Historically, discussions regarding medical illnesses and medical conditions in public have been aimed towards physical and infectious diseases, but there has been a significant increase in these discussions regarding the mental health issues of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as neurological disorders like epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease in the country of India. Mental health awareness has increased due to lifestyle changes and greater levels of stress, which has resulted in an increase in the amount of neurologically and psychiatrically related medications dispensed throughout India. By Supreet Singh, Founder & CEO – Psychocare Health Private Limited
Previously, mental illness was considered a taboo in Indian culture; however, there is an increasingly private acceptance of mental disorders within the population of India. The World Health Organization has identified a large percentage of the Indian population as having experienced a mental illness An additional issue related to diagnosing neurological conditions is the growth in the absolute number of diagnosed patients and the rise in diagnosis rates due to an increase in the older adult population.
The increase in demand for services for patients experiencing these illnesses can be explained by an increase in awareness due to various government initiatives, including the National Mental Health Program, which aims to decrease the stigma associated with mental illnesses.
One major factor contributing to the rise in the need for treatment is the accelerated pace of life due to urbanization and social changes, which have resulted in higher incidences of stress-related disorders associated with fast-paced working environments, dependence on technology, sleep disturbances, and lack of social connection. Medication is a large part of integrated treatment plans that also include therapy. Lifestyle changes are an important part of the integrated treatment plan.
Pharmaceutical companies in India are expanding their product lines to provide a wider variety of treatments for neuropsychiatric problems, as well as to meet the increasing requirements of patients seeking neuropsychiatric medications. The general trend indicates that new therapies will provide patients with greater therapeutic efficacy and have fewer adverse effects, resulting in improved patient compliance and long-term rehabilitation.
Additionally, one way that other countries have provided greater access and affordability to drugs is through the increased manufacturing of generic medicines. As ‘The Pharmacy of the World,’ India will continue as a source of both essential psychiatric and neuro medications at competitive prices, providing both the local and global marketplace essential medications.
Another way technology impacting patients’ access to healthcare is through telemedicine platforms and mental health apps. Allowing for an easier consultation process in areas where there is limited access to specialists, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The use of digital prescriptions and e-pharmacies is also providing improved access to medicine, allowing for timely treatment.
In addition to affordable generic drugs improving access to care, there remains a gap between individuals who require treatment and those actually receiving it. Some people do not seek out the assistance they require, while others stop taking their prescribed medications for a wide range of reasons, including but not limited to stigma, lack of awareness about their condition, or an inability to pay for them. As a result of the limited number of qualified mental health practitioners available to provide accurate diagnoses and treatments for individuals, patients will struggle to receive timely, appropriate care.
India’s regulatory framework, along with the pharmaceutical industry’s quality control systems, generates a trusting patient/healthcare provider relationship through the assurance of product safety, efficacy, and ethical product promotion. Therefore, ongoing oversight and compliance with global standards will be essential in maintaining the integrity of India’s pharmaceutical industry.
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