MUMBAI: Generic medicines will be introduced in all government hospitals in the state from June, health minister Suresh Shetty said on Friday. Actor Aamir Khan, who had highlighted the issue of female foeticide in his TV series Satyamev Jayate, in a letter to the Maharashtra government had asked it to introduce generic medicines, as is being done in Rajasthan.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a generic drug is identical to or the bioequivalent of a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Though chemically identical to branded medicines, the generic drugs are sold at substantially discounted prices.

Shetty said the decision to purchase generic medicines was taken by the state 18 months ago. However, the government could not introduce the drugs immediately as it had already signed various rate contracts. "These contracts have now come to an end. So, from now on, we will only purchase generic medicines," he said.