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Generics/Research

Rheumatology RCPI V13C29

Generics combo non-inferior to treatment with Enbrel

Generics/Research | Posted 05/07/2013

A study carried out by researchers from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research has found that a combination of three generic drugs is non-inferior to treatment with Amgen’s blockbuster biological Enbrel (etanercept) [1].

Innovation V13E10

Innovation in the generics industry

Generics/Research | Posted 10/05/2013

The decrease in innovation in the originator pharmaceutical industry is leading to an increase in innovation in the generics pharmaceutical industry, according to new research [1].

Generic V13C05

Quality of generics in South Africa

Generics/Research | Posted 29/04/2013

A study of the quality of generic medicines in South Africa has shown large differences in the perception and the actual quality of generics [1].

Health on a Budget V13D12

Cost savings from use of generic medicines in Ireland

Generics/Research | Posted 12/04/2013

Ireland has one of the lowest usages of generics in the EU. However, in order to try to address this, the country introduced a new bill – Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 – on 16 September 2012. Authors Dunne et al. discuss how the proposed changes could affect health care in Ireland [1].

Ireland flag V13C29

Use of generic medicines in Ireland

Generics/Research | Posted 29/03/2013

Ireland’s Department of Health and Children intends to introduce a system of reference pricing and generics substitution in Ireland, which will greatly increase the utilization of generics and generate significant cost savings, whilst at the same time, increasing the accessibility and affordability of essential medicines. Authors Dunne et al. discuss Ireland’s history with the use of generic medicines [1].

Risperidone-3D-balls V13C22

Changes in risperidone use in Austria after introduction of generics

Generics/Research | Posted 22/03/2013

Currently, many governments have introduced austerity reforms to control pharmaceutical expenditure. In Austria, efforts have been made to both increase the use and lower the prices of generics. The problem is that antidepressants are not like other drugs, such as cholesterol-reducing medicines, where switching from originators to generics is not seen as a problem. For antidepressants the patient’s treatment is often tailored to meet their specific needs and there is resistance to switch products in stable patients.

Venlafaxine V13c15

Use of venlafaxine in Austria after introduction of generics

Generics/Research | Posted 15/03/2013

Trying to reduce expenditure on medicine is a major driving force for reforms by many governments. This includes Austria, where measures have been introduced to lower generics prices and enhance their use. However, the situation for newer antidepressants and atypical antipsychotic medicines (AAPs) is different to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (anti-reflux), statins (cholesterol-reducing), and renin-angiotensin inhibitor (blood-pressure reducing) drugs. For antidepressants therapy, it is more often tailored to meet the patient’s needs and there is resistance to switch products in stable patients.

Patient MD002316 V13C05

Patients’ knowledge and perceptions about generics in Australia

Generics/Research | Posted 08/03/2013

Most Australians know about generics but are not sure if they prefer brand-name or generic drugs, according to a survey carried out by Australian researchers and published in December 2012 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research [1].

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Generics policies in Europe have room for improvement

Generics/Research | Posted 15/02/2013

In Europe, generics policies have not yet been implemented to their full extent, according to authors Vogler and Zimmerman, reporting on the 2011 Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information (PPRI) Conference [1, 2].

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Conflict-of-interest policies reduce brand-name prescribing

Generics/Research | Posted 08/02/2013

Psychiatrists who are exposed to conflict-of-interest (COI) policies during their residency are less likely to prescribe brand-name antidepressants after graduation than those who train in residency programmes without such policies, according to a new study by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, USA [1].

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HIV generics could significantly cut treatment costs

Generics/Research | Posted 01/02/2013

The US Government could save almost US$1 billion in the first year alone by using generic rather than brand-name drugs for the treatment of HIV patients, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine [1].

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Overview of research on regulatory issues for generics in 2012

Generics/Research | Posted 24/01/2013

Period: January to August 2012 

Regulatory issues are a challenge facing generics of all kinds, and one that may limit the competitiveness and sustainability of the generics industry. However, with the cost of medicines becoming a more and more important factor for patients and the healthcare industry as a whole there is a need for both harmonization of regulatory requirements between different regions, e.g. Canada, EU and US, as well as a need for clarity in the regulatory requirements for certain generics.

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Brand-name and generics labels don’t match

Generics/Research | Posted 18/01/2013

According to US federal law generics manufacturers have to have the same labelling as their brand-named counterparts. However, a new study has found that in practice this is often not the case.

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Patent cliff winners and losers

Generics/Research | Posted 11/01/2013

During 2011 and 2012 a whole host of patents have expired on many blockbuster drugs. In fact it was estimated that in 2012 US$33 billion of sales would be lost due to the patent cliff [1].

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US pharmacists positive about generic drugs

Generics/Research | Posted 14/12/2012

Pharmacists, prescribers and patients often voice concerns about the safety and efficacy of generic drugs when they are substituted for brand-name drugs. Results of a survey, reported by Ms Laurie Scudder, shows that pharmacist and prescriber opinions on generic drugs in the US are generally positive, see Figure 1.

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Overview of research on ‘specific’ policies aimed at generics in 2012

Generics/Research | Posted 14/12/2012

Period: January to August 2012 

Countries around the world have embraced generics due to their cost-saving potential. Many governments already have policies in place to promote the use of generic medicines, and as health systems face continuous cost pressures and demands to invest in new technologies, generics can only become more important.

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Safety and efficacy of generic tenofir/lamivudine/efavirenz combination

Generics/Research | Posted 14/12/2012

New research shows the safety and efficacy of a generics combination of tenofir, lamivudine and efavirenz in the treatment of HIV-infected patients in Thailand [1].

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Black-box safety warnings and the future of generic drug liability

Generics/Research | Posted 07/12/2012

Generic medicines currently have no responsibility for adding warnings about adverse effects of their medicines. Despite the US Supreme Court ruling that it was ‘impossible’ to force generics manufacturers to update their labels with the latest warnings, many feel that they have an ethical responsibility to do just that [1].

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Overview of research on ‘general’ policies aimed at generics in 2012

Generics/Research | Posted 30/11/2012

Period: January to August 2012 

Many governments around the world already have policies in place to promote the use of generic medicines, and with the increasing cost of health care and restrictions on budgets the need for low cost, quality medications can only become more important.

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The ethics of generic drug liability

Generics/Research | Posted 30/11/2012

What responsibility should the manufacturers of generic medicines bear for warnings about adverse effects of their medicines? Indeed, what responsibility should be borne by the original manufacturers of these drugs? What happens if an adverse effect is noticed after the drug has been in use for many years? Such questions are being pondered in the US after a recent ruling in which the Supreme Court decided it was ‘impossible’ to force generics manufacturers to update their labels with the latest warnings.