Poor should get cheap drugs: Aamir to panel

New Delhi: Generic drugs – cheap yet highly effective – got a push from the matinee crusader Aamir Khan 

who appeared before a Parliamentary panel on Thursday to discuss plans to introduce FDI in the pharmaceutical sector. 
    The 47-year-old actor, who recently highlighted the issue of malpractices regarding the sale of medicines in his TV show S a t y a - m e v J a y a t e, was invited to appear as a witness before the Parliamentary standing committee on commerce, which is examining FDI in the pharma sector. 
    The Union health ministry's internal assessment suggests that the recent takeover of Indian firms making generic drugs by MNCs will reduce domestic availability of many essential medicines that were earlier manufactured and sold by the acquired firms. The actor submitted a report on FDI in the sector, and his support for generic drugs before the panel. 
    "The main motive of big companies is to earn more. We understand thatThe issue here is how the poor get cheap medicine. The companies will benefit if they sell cheap drugs. Bulk sales will lower the profit margins but profit will remain. It is win-win situation for all," the actor said.