Dawai Dost

1. What is generic medicine ?

Generic drugs are the same as branded drugs. They have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, strength as the original drug. However, Brand names are usually capitalized while generic names are not.

2. Are generic medicines as good as branded ?

Yes, generic medications are just as effective as brand-name drugs. When a generic drug is approved, it has to meet standards established by the FDA with respect to identity, strength, quality, purity, and potency.

Branded drugs and Generic Drugs are manufactured in the same fashion, following validated manufacturing processes, complying with good manufacturing practices, and schedule “M” requirements. FDA considers generic drugs to be identical, bioequivalent, to branded drugs in dosage form, safety, efficacy, route of administration. We only stock generic Medicine well known reputable companies. The list of medicines on this website also shows what Brands we are supplying.

In fact, in the UK and many parts of Europe and the USA, a large proportion of the medicines consumed are generics made in India or China. In the ultra-cautious USA vast quantities of Indian generic medicines are consumed.

3. Why do generic medicines cost less than brand-name medicines?

It tend to cost less than their brand-name counterparts because generic drug applicants do not have to repeat initial animal and clinical (human) studies that were required of the brand-name medicines to demonstrate safety and effectiveness. The competition between the brand-name drug and multiple generic drugs is a large part of the reason that makes generic medicines cost so less.

4. How are you able to sell these drugs at such low rates below MRP?

Dawai Dost is a welfare initiative that has started with an aim to help the poor and create awareness about generic medicines. We sell the medicines at the minimum possible prices that allow us to just cover the cost of running the stores. The MRP for many of these medicines is very high as compared to their wholesale prices so we aim to pass on this benefit to the consumer instead of making a profit.

5. Why do brand-name drugs look different from their generic versions?

Trademark laws in the United States do not allow a generic drug or medicine to look exactly like other drugs already on the market. Generic medicines and brand-name medicines share the same active ingredient, but other characteristics, such as colors and flavorings may be different as long as they do not affect the performance, safety, or effectiveness of the generic medicine.

6. Why do some medicines look different every time I purchase them from Dawai Dost? Why do you keep changing brands?

It’s our constant effort to ensure that we provide the best available generic brands at the most affordable prices. Sometimes there are price changes announced for the same medicine by the company, in such cases we try and stock the same medicine from other brands that have competitive prices. This is why you may see a change in the color or flavor of tablets. However, the effectiveness of medicine still remains the same.

7. What is the generic name for medicine prescribed to me? Also, do you have the same available in the Dawai Dost store?

Yes, You can click the button below to go to the Find Generic page and then Search “Generic Name“. Enter the branded medicine name to find its generic name in our database. After that if the result has a DDNO value it means we do stock the same in our stores.

In case you do not find an equivalent here please do contact us. We will do our best to help you find your medicine even if it’s not available with us.

6. How do I find a Dawai Dost Store and check its opening hours?

Very simple, check the About Us section for a list of all stores operating currently and click on any of them to check the direction and opening hours on maps.

7. Do you offer Home Delivery Service?

Due to challenges in finding a reliable delivery service currently, this service is suspended. However, we hope to resume it in the near future.

8. Where can I share my complaints, feedback or suggestions?

We maintain a register for the same in all our Dawai Dost outlets. You can use the same for it. Rest assured we value all suggestions and complaints alike. Additionally, feel free to contact us through the website also. You may also join discussion forums to contribute your knowledge and keep yourself updated about various news and events related to generic medicines and healthcare.

9. Can I get a franchise?

Currently, we do NOT offer any franchises – largely because people, not unreasonably, expect to earn from it.  We are currently a loss-making chain despite serving some 80,000 customers because the fixed costs are high – there is RENT to pay, Pharmacist’s salary and fee for his license, staff costs, etc. It is difficult to recover all these expenses with the minimum rates that we offer unless you have hundreds of customers every day.

IN FUTURE WE MAY OFFER – IF WE DO IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED HERE. We get hundreds of calls every week for this but currently, a franchise is currently not financially viable and the one will have to be prepared to lose a few lakhs per year to provide affordable medicine.

10. I want a store near me?

We get many requests to open a branch in other areas – to open a Branch we need three things:
(1) A suitable shop on the main road capable of attracting at least 100 customers per day
(2) A Jharkhand Registered pharmacist who is willing to work at this shop and has not rented out his license elsewhere
(3) Reasonable rent

If you can help us find the above, we will be delighted to open a shop in YOUR area!

We have THREE types of outlets offering affordable generic medicines from only reputable companies.

• Rent-free premises – Individuals/societies provide us with vacant /unused shops as a charitable act. It needs to be a min of 120 sq ft in a good location. The owners can keep control of their premises and need not part with possession. We operate the Trust on a “no profit/no loss” basis. Dawai Dost’s first charitable shop opened on 1 May 2015 – Dawai Dost, North Market Road, Near Modi Dharamshala, Upper Bazaar, Ranchi. Rayeen Panchyat, Lake Road has made available a shop – first organization to do so. Soon it was followed by Sewa Sadan. If you are interested in this opportunity to do good please contact us. 767780777
• Rented Shops – Here we rent the premises on rent in popular areas. Again, Premsons and Bairoliya Trust does not aim to make a profit from its overall operations. Most of our shops are in this category. We continue to look for more shops. Shops need to be a minimum of 120 sq ft, on the ground floor, and on the main road (not inside). If you have a shop you would like to rent 767780777. We do not give Pagri. We give 3 months’ rent as a deposit for an 11-month renewable agreement. Rent is paid automatically by the bank into your bank account each month. 
• Shops within government/charitable hospitals – Example Dawai Dost Charity shop outlet at RIMS hospital where we are helping over 2000 people every day to decimate the cost of their medicine.  Premsons and Bairoliya Trust makes no profit from these shops. We NEED more such locations. The poorest come to these hospitals and our prices are at their absolute lowest in these hospitals. We have proven over the last 3 years that it is possible to provide affordable quality medicine.

11. Where can I find more information about generic medicines?

Contact your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider for information on generic medicines. For more information, you can also:

• Visit the FDA Generic Drugs Program
• Call 1-888-INFO-FDA