Generics/Research

Mixed beliefs about generics among patients in a Malaysian hospital

Generics/Research | Posted 03/05/2019

The Malaysian Government is heavily subsidizing public healthcare expenditure in order to provide access to health care for all citizens. In 2017, total healthcare expenditure in the country was approximately 9.4% of the annual budget. In order to overcome the increasing cost of health care, the government has implemented a National Generic Medicine Policy in 2006 to promote healthier competition in medicine pricing and to make medicines more affordable to the general public. After 10 years of policy implementation, authors from the Ministry of Health Malaysia assess patients' beliefs about generics.

Market evolution of new drug formulations

Generics/Research | Posted 01/04/2019

Brand-name drug manufacturers sometimes create modified versions of their approved drugs which can include new strengths, dosage forms, or delivery routes. This product modification can meaningfully increase patient treatment options; however, some cases have come under scrutiny as they do not offer any clear therapeutic advantages. This second practice is a form of ‘product hopping’, a method used by manufacturers to prolong revenue streams related to market exclusivity. Complementary strategies such as product discontinuation can augment the impact of product hopping.

Factors associated with increased side effects and lower perceived efficacy when switching to a generic

Generics/Research | Posted 22/03/2019

In 2017, the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) changed the funded version of the antidepressant venlafaxine from Efexor XR (the branded originator) or Arrow-Venlafaxine XR (a generic version) to a new generic, Enlafax XR. MacKrill and Petrie examined differences in preferences and perceptions between patients switched from the originator branded venlafaxine to the new generic, and those switched from the old generic version [1]. Specifically, they investigated the factors associated with preference for branded medicines, side effects reported following switching and efficacy ratings of the new generic.

Escalating prices of generic drugs in the US

Generics/Research | Posted 15/03/2019

Generic prescription drug prices have been escalating rapidly in the US. In 2014, generic drug prices increased by 38% on average. Public outcry has led to a flurry of legislative proposals, and two federal bills were introduced in 2017 to improve price transparency and identify drugs exhibiting outlier ‘price spikes’, however, both remain unenacted. In the first three months of 2018, 53 drug pricing transparency bills were initiated in 23 state legislatures.

The 700-dollar vitamin: excessive generics prices in the US

Generics/Research | Posted 01/03/2019

Authors from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine discuss excessive prices for generics in the US, using vitamin K₁ as an example [1].

Impact of generic reference pricing on candesartan and rosuvastatin use in South Africa

Generics/Research | Posted 15/02/2019

Researchers from South Africa and The Netherlands investigated the effect that generics and generic reference pricing has on candesartan and rosuvastatin use in South Africa [1].

Safety of brand-name and generic angiotensin II receptor blockers

Generics/Research | Posted 18/01/2019

Authors of a study carried out in Canada found that there is still uncertainty regarding generics substitution of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) [1].

Effectiveness of chronic hepatitis C treatment using direct-acting antivirals: real-life data

Generics/Research | Posted 30/11/2018

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can be caused by medications, toxins, severe alcohol use and other medical conditions. Hepatitis can also be caused by viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B and C. Both hepatitis A and B can be dangerous, but there are effective vaccines against both viruses, however, there is no vaccines for hepatitis C [1].

Higher generics use results in higher Medicare Part D star ratings

Generics/Research | Posted 16/11/2018

A study conducted by researchers from Auburn University and IMPAQ International has found that Medicare^# Part D* prescription plans with higher generics use have higher summary star ratings and improved member experience [1].

Ensuring a stable supply of APIs in Japan

Generics/Research | Posted 09/11/2018

A stable supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is indispensable for a stable supply of finished pharmaceutical products (FPPs). It is also indispensable for promoting the use of generics, because API distribution issues can lead to generics shortages. For instance, of the 46 drug shortage problems that arose in FY2013, 21 were associated with API shortages [1]. These shortages can result in a perception among medical staff and patients that generic drugs are unreliable. Therefore, minimizing the risk of API shortage is crucial for promoting the use of generics.

Individual pathways for development of complex generics

Generics/Research | Posted 02/11/2018

The downside of having clear regulatory standards for approval of pharmaceuticals, according to Rodrigo Cristofoletti from Brazil’s Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA), is the overuse of one-size-fits-all (OSFA) approaches [1]. Although such approaches ensure harmonization throughout the regulatory decision-making process, they may not be adequate for all cases, and especially not in the case of complex generics.

Platelet reactivity with generic and brand-name clopidogrel

Generics/Research | Posted 19/10/2018

The salt linked to the clopidogrel molecule in generic preparations is suspected to affect its clinical efficacy. However, there is a lack of information about inhibition of platelet reactivity by generic preparations. A study was therefore carried out using both generic and brand-name clopidogrel to compare the platelet reactivity [1].

Free prescriptions do not always increase use of generics

Generics/Research | Posted 12/10/2018

One strategy to increase the use of generics is to offer them free of charge. This strategy presumes that this will shift demand away from expensive brand-name drugs and produce savings for insurers and customers alike. In order to test this theory, researchers from the University of Maryland studied co-payment data from Medicare recipients^# to see if offering zero generic co-pays for oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) and statins increased generics use among low-income subsidy (LIS) patients with diabetes.

Limited distribution networks found to be anticompetitive

Generics/Research | Posted 05/10/2018

Limited distribution networks, whereby a drug manufacturer has a contract with one or a small number of distributors, suppress competition in both the generic and biosimilar drug markets. This leads to high costs for both payers and patients, according to a recent US review [1].

Generic hepatitis drug effective in patients with or without HIV

Generics/Research | Posted 28/09/2018

Over 3% of people with hepatitis C infections also have HIV. A new study conducted in Taiwan shows that generic versions of the hepatitis C treatment Epclusa are equally effective in patients with and without HIV co-infection [1].

Factors influencing the use of trade and generic names

Generics/Research | Posted 21/09/2018

Using trade names for drugs in clinical practice has been shown to increase the use of brand-name drugs. Despite efforts by academic medical centres to teach generic drug names and discourage the use of trade names to reduce bias and contain costs, usage of trade names persists. In order to determine what factors might influence healthcare professionals to prescribe by brand-name or generic name, researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine carried out an analysis of medication pages [1].

Hospital use of generic drugs increases adoption by community pharmacies

Generics/Research | Posted 14/09/2018

A recent Japanese study reveals that hospital adoption of generic drugs can also promote their use by community pharmacies. The researchers found that hospital adoption of generic drugs increased community pharmacy dispensation by almost 10% in only a year, reducing overall medical costs [1].

Product recalls increase with increasing generics competition

Generics/Research | Posted 24/08/2018

Generics price competition may lead to relaxed manufacturing standards and ultimately lower quality products, according to a study carried out by researchers from three US universities.

Patient sociodemographics and use of generics

Generics/Research | Posted 20/07/2018

Researchers from the US have found that poorer patients are more likely to use generics [1].

Generic sofosbuvir and daclatasvir bioequivalent to originators

Generics/Research | Posted 13/07/2018

With the aim of eliminating hepatitis C (HCV) by 2030, some originator pharmaceutical companies have granted voluntary licences to generics companies to mass produce the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) sofosbuvir and daclatasvir at low cost. In order to achieve this, generics makers need to demonstrate bioequivalent pharmacokinetics for their DAAs, compared to the originators. Therefore, researchers carried out a study to determine whether generics of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir had bioequivalent pharmacokinetics to the originators [1].

Generics and biosimilars Initiative

News

Research

General