In late October 2025, inspectors from the US arrived at Hetero Labs’ warehouse unit in Visakhapatnam for an audit. They were kept waiting outside for two hours. When they finally got in, what they saw was unsettling birds fluttering overhead, lizards skittering across the floor, and cats roaming freely. When asked about the mess, a company official said these medicines were only meant for Indian consumers. 

Hetero Labs is a major manufacturer that exports to the US and earns big from it. But if their words are to be believed, the poorest quality might be reserved for Indians. This isn’t an isolated case. In October, more than 23 children died after consuming branded medicines. It was another grim reminder that price does not guarantee quality. 

A survey found that nearly 12–25% of Indian medicines are believed to be fake (Khangan et al., The challenge of counterfeit drugs in Indian market: a comprehensive review. Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2025;18(4):352–361. doi:10.5530/ijopp.20250285). In India, action is rare until tragedy strikes. If you want to stay alert, avoid fake medicines, and still save on costs. Read on to find out where you can buy tested drugs that protect both your health and your wallet. 

What is Patent? 

When an individual, organisation or group spends time researching and creating something new, and if it benefits society, they file a patent to recover what they have invested. A patent allows them to hold credit for their innovation and prevents others from copying it for a time period of 20 years. During this period, they alone can earn from their creation and gain recognition for the work they put in. 

What are Generic Medicines? 

Once a medicine loses its patent, it becomes generic. This means every manufacturer now knows how to make it and can produce it in their own facility. These versions are then sold at a much lower price, making the medicine more affordable for consumers while ending the monopoly of the original maker. 

What are Branded Medicines? 

Technically, branded medicine refers to a patented drug. But with marketing and doctors often promoting these products, a rumour has spread that branded medicine is the real one. In truth, very few patented medicines exist in India today. Most are generic. What people call branded are usually the ones pushed by aggressive marketing companies, not necessarily the original or superior version. 

Why Price Does Not Define the Quality of the Medicines? 

Price does not define the quality of a medicine. It depends on how heavily it is marketed, except for patented ones. The more a company spends on marketing, the higher the price. Usually, marketing firms hire medical representatives who convince doctors to prescribe their medicines by offering commissions, and sometimes even rope in actors to promote them. 

But even in these advertisements, no one talks about certification or the manufacturing facility. When you choose a branded medicine, you are often paying for marketing, commissions, and endorsements, not necessarily for better quality. The truth is, you never really know. There are times when your medicines might not work, and your doctor simply switches you to another brand. So how can one trust the quality of these medicines? This leads us to the next topic. 

Where can one buy Quality Medicines? 

In India, where 12–25% of medicines are fake, trusting what you buy is difficult. The only way to know is by checking the medicine’s test report, because testing reveals its true quality. And right now, only one online pharmacy in India offers that transparency. It is SayaCare. 

The rise of fake medicines caught Dhruv’s attention in 2019. Along with Dr. Shivangi, he decided to change how medicines are trusted in India. Together, they founded SayaCare with a clear goal to test every medicine they source directly from the manufacturer at an NABL-authorised lab. They sell only those that pass the test, complete with a report for the customer. The best part is, their medicines cost up to 80% less than the MRP. With over one lakh customers, SayaCare is steadily building a name for safe, tested, and affordable medicines across India. 

Conclusion 

In India, the difference between branded and generic medicines is often misunderstood. Price and packaging may draw attention, but they rarely tell the full story of quality. What truly matters is trust and transparency in what we consume. With fake medicines still a serious issue, every patient deserves access to medicines that are tested, verified, and are genuinely safe. Today, SayaCare stands out as the only online pharmacy that tests its medicines for quality. It proves that affordability and reliability can go hand in hand. The future of healthcare in India depends on greater awareness, responsible manufacturing, and informed choices by consumers who value both life and trust.