Expensive Medication: Why Some Drugs Cost So Much and What You Can Do

When you hear expensive medication, prescription drugs priced far beyond what most people can afford, often due to patent protections and limited competition. Also known as high-cost pills, these drugs can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month—making basic treatment feel like a luxury. In India, where out-of-pocket health spending is still high, this isn’t just a problem—it’s a crisis. A single course of cancer drugs, diabetes injections, or heart medications can wipe out a family’s savings. And it’s not just about brand names. Even generics can be priced unfairly when supply chains are controlled by a few players.

Why does this happen? One big reason is patent monopolies, legal protections that let companies charge whatever they want for 20 years without competition. After that, generic medicine, lower-cost versions of branded drugs that work the same way but cost a fraction. Also known as generic drugs, they’re the key to making treatment affordable should kick in. But in practice, many generics never reach the market, or they’re priced just low enough to keep people buying the brand. Meanwhile, drug pricing, the system that determines how much a medicine costs from factory to pharmacy. in India is rarely transparent. No one knows how much it actually costs to make a pill—only what the final price is.

But you’re not powerless. Many people don’t realize that cheaper alternatives exist. For example, Ozempic and Wegovy are sold for over ₹15,000 a month, but their active ingredient, semaglutide, is now available as a generic in some places for under ₹2,000. Metformin, a diabetes drug that’s been around for decades, still works better than many new, pricey options—and costs less than ₹10 a day. Even supplements like turmeric, backed by science, can reduce inflammation and lower reliance on expensive painkillers. The trick isn’t just finding alternatives—it’s knowing which ones are safe, effective, and legally available.

Some of the posts below show you exactly how people are cutting costs without cutting corners. You’ll see real comparisons between brand-name drugs and their cheaper versions, step-by-step guides to finding trustworthy online pharmacies, and stories from people who switched from a ₹20,000 monthly injection to a ₹1,500 tablet and saw no difference in results. There’s also advice on when to push back on your doctor’s first prescription, how to spot counterfeit drugs, and what government programs might help you access affordable treatment. This isn’t about avoiding medicine—it’s about getting the care you need without going broke.