Generics/Research

Data publication may address generics misperceptions

Generics/Research | Posted 09/03/2012

Wider publication of bioequivalence, safety, or efficacy data to demonstrate the effectiveness of generic drug compounds may help to nullify the last remaining anti-generics argument: that generics do not achieve the same therapeutic standards as the original branded drug.

Factors important for generics substitution in Finland

Generics/Research | Posted 20/01/2012

What factors do patients take into account when deciding to accept or reject generics substitution? This is the question asked in a recent research article [1].

Generics market to experience strong growth in 2010–2017

Generics/Research | Posted 03/02/2012

The global market for generic drugs will experience strong growth in the coming years due to patent expiries of blockbuster drugs worth US$150 billion between 2010 and 2017. Cost containment strategies being implemented by governments and healthcare service providers are also given credit for shifting sales towards cheaper generics.

Translational research to uncover new uses for generics

Generics/Research | Posted 04/11/2011

On the surface, generic compounds and translational medicines could not appear more different. However, in April 2011, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) met with academic, governmental, and industry R & D experts to discuss whether translational methods could help to rescue and re-position certain generics [1].

Generics saved US$931 billion over last 10 years

Generics/Research | Posted 07/10/2011

On 21 September 2011, the US Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) released the results of an independent analysis showing that the use of generic drugs in the US has saved patients and the healthcare system US$931 billion between 2001 and 2010.

Generic atorvastatin may be better than Crestor

Generics/Research | Posted 30/09/2011

AstraZeneca’s leading cholesterol drug Crestor (rosuvastatin) failed to show a statistically significant benefit over Pfizer’s Lipitor (atorvastatin), according to results of a phase IIIb trial. The results could prove to be good news for generics manufacturers, boosting sales of generic atorvastatin, soon to compete with Crestor.

Tendering for medicines in ambulatory care

Generics/Research | Posted 16/09/2011

Tendering is a mechanism whereby a purchaser buys medicines from the pharmaceutical manufacturer that offers the best bid [1]. Whereas tendering is widely used in the hospital sector, it is only recently being rolled out in ambulatory care in an increasing number of countries with a view to constraining pharmaceutical expenditure. Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands are the countries that have taken up the idea most readily. However, the success of this strategy is not yet clear compared to other European generic medicines pricing policies.

Integrated prescriber dispensing can slow generic growth

Generics/Research | Posted 26/08/2011

Countries such as China, Japan and Taiwan which have public health insurance systems, and which allow physicians to both prescribe and dispense drugs themselves, are the most resistant to generics competition, according to a study by two Taiwanese health economists from the National Cheng-Kung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan [1].

Does switching to generic anti-epileptic drugs lead to loss of seizure control

Generics/Research | Posted 26/08/2011

Patients with epilepsy may have a higher risk of seizures if they switch from their brand-name medication to generic anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). This is the message often heard from clinicians when expressing their concern over generic versions of narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs, one class of which is those used to manage the symptoms of epilepsy.

Switching from a brand-name antiepileptic drug to a generic is not associated with a higher risk of seizures

Generics/Research | Posted 19/08/2011

A report in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics provides further evidence that patients with epilepsy do not have a higher risk of seizures if they switch from their brand-name anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) to the generic version [1].