Generics
Factors that influence generic drug use
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.
Market share of generics set to rise as blockbuster patents end
Sales of generic drugs across Europe are expected to grow by 63% in the next three years, mainly because the patents of nine major blockbuster drugs are due to run out [1].
Influence these two factors and the use of generics will increase
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.
Domestic Indian market spawns generic agreements
India’s population is growing rapidly—as is its economy—creating a large middle class with the resources to afford western medicines. This fact has seen a spate of western companies stepping forward to make agreements with Indian generics manufacturers in order to get a foothold in this developing market.
TRIPS and access to essential medicines
A large number of people in the world cannot afford the basic necessities of life, which include access to essential medicines. Policies to encourage generic medicines in poorer countries may go some way to making essential medicines available for all, however, global intellectual property agreements may hinder these efforts.
US drug shortages – FDA may hinder, but APP may help
Drug shortages are at a record high, and some blame the policies of the FDA for causing some of these. However, good news is on the horizon as US drugmaker APP Pharmaceuticals has decided to boost its manufacturing capacity for injectable generic drugs. This could help to fight against the growing list of drug shortages reported by the FDA.
Generics will not have to change their labelling
The US Supreme Court has decided that generics makers cannot be sued under state law for not changing their labels to warn of possible side effects. That is a big victory for Actavis, Mylan and Teva, which had faced appeals against court rulings that would have allowed them to be sued under state law.
The ‘Wise List’ - a Swedish drug formulary
Research carried out by Lars Gustafsson and et al. [1] into the use and acceptance of a drug formulary used in Stockholm, Sweden, found that adherence to the ‘Wise List’ resulted in substantial cost savings due to increased use of cheaper generic drugs.
Savings to be made and compliance with generic antidepressants
Vlahiotis A et al. compared discontinuation rates and healthcare utilisation costs among patients using brand-name versus generic antidepressants.
No difference between generic and brand-name antidepressants
Patients who start treatment for depression with generic drugs benefit from significantly lower costs and are just as likely to keep taking their medication as those who start on brand-name medicines new research suggests.
