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Generics/Research

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Impact of measures to encourage generics prescribing in Scotland

Generics/Research | Posted 02/03/2012

Since 2000, measures have been introduced in Scotland in order to encourage use of generic rather than brand-name proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1]. The impact of these measures on the prescribing practices in Scotland has been positive. Generics use has increased, and costs for the Scottish government have decreased.

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Prescribing of generic PPIs and statins in Scotland

Generics/Research | Posted 24/02/2012

In Scotland, a series of measures have been introduced since 2000 in order to encourage use of generic rather than brand-name proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1]. Some of the measures introduced include:

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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.

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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].

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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.

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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].

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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].

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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.

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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].

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How successful is the reference pricing system in Belgium

Generics/Research | Posted 19/08/2011

The main aim of a reference pricing system (RPS) is to provide generic medicines at the lowest cost to the state and individuals. This article explains how RPSs work and asks how the Belgian system might be improved to better fulfil its main objective.

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Benefits of generics called into question

Generics/Research | Posted 12/08/2011

The benefits associated with generic prescription drugs have been called into question in an article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) [1].

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Epilepsy: medical concerns of prescribing generics

Generics/Research | Posted 12/08/2011

Generic economics

Generic medications are generally cheaper than their branded product counterparts and so prescribing these is encouraged as a cost-containment strategy in the management of healthcare resources. Encouraging the use of generic drugs is widely considered to be the most simple and effective way of reducing medication expenditure.

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Perception of generic drugs as fake among Pakistani immigrants

Generics/Research | Posted 06/06/2011

Pakistani immigrants in Norway may confuse generic drugs with counterfeit drugs, according to research carried out by Norwegian researchers [1].

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Generic warfarin as safe and effective as brand name

Generics/Research | Posted 27/05/2011

In a literature study by Dr Francesco Dentali and colleagues found that generic warfarin was as safe as brand name warfarin (Coumadin) [1].

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Pakistani immigrants may confuse generics with counterfeit drugs

Generics/Research | Posted 27/05/2011

A study by Norwegian researchers showed that generics substitution may lead to lack of compliance in Pakistani immigrants in Norway, due to misconceptions and confusion with counterfeit drugs [1].

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Influence these two factors and the use of generics will increase

Generics/Research | Posted 05/08/2011

According to Assistant Professor William Shrank of Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, we may be able to increase the use of generic alternatives over brand-name medications if we influence the following two factors: communication about generics between patients and their physicians or pharmacists and the patients’ comfort with generic substitution.

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Factors that influence generic drug use

Generics/Research | Posted 05/08/2011

Increasing efforts to influence both the prescriber and patient factors involved in determining the type of initial prescription may benefit everyone involved in paying for medications to get the most cost-effective treatment for their condition.