How India keeps diabetes drugs affordable, study finds

India's ability to offer diabetes medications at a fraction of global prices stems from its position as a leading pharmaceutical exporter and specific legislative frameworks that keep costs competitive, according to a study by medical specialists.

The research identifies two key factors enabling India's affordability advantage. First, robust patent laws prevent pharmaceutical companies from extending monopolies through minor reformulations—a practice known as 'patent evergreening'. Second, legislation permits domestic manufacturers to produce generic versions of essential medicines, creating price competition that benefits patients.

These regulatory mechanisms have transformed India into a major supplier of affordable pharmaceuticals both domestically and internationally. The country's generic drug industry has grown significantly by manufacturing high-quality medications at costs accessible to low and middle-income populations.

The findings underscore how India's policy approach to intellectual property and pharmaceutical manufacturing differs from many developed nations, where patents and market exclusivity often sustain higher drug prices. Diabetologists point to this model as a potential template for making other essential medications more affordable across resource-limited settings.

As diabetes prevalence continues rising in India and across Asia, the sustainability of affordable treatment remains critical for public health outcomes.