Print generic drug names two font sizes bigger than brand, says govt

The latest order is in line with government's push for affordable medicines

The Union health ministry has tightened labelling norms for medicines, making it mandatory for pharmaceutical companies to print generic names of drugs in a font which is two font sizes larger than the brand name.

The change in labelling, which is seen as a part of government’s effort to push generic drugs, will come into effect from September 13. A notification amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules was issued last week.

The change in font size is mandatory for all formulations, except combinations of vitamins and fixed dose combinations consisting of more than three molecules. 

According to the notification for