The aim of the chair is to study the generic medicines policies in European countries. The chair will explore issues surrounding the European generic medicines industry, patients’ access to affordable health care, the effect of generic competition on healthcare budgets and incentives to use generic medicines.

Director General of the EGA, Mr Greg Perry, said in his speech at the inauguration that “generic medicines offer equivalent medical treatments at lower costs for healthcare systems and patients. Nowadays, half of the medicines used by European citizens are generic medicines, accounting for only 18% of the pharmaceutical expenditure”. He added that “cost-effective generic medicines save EU patients and healthcare systems over Euros 30 billion each year, thus helping to ensure patient access to essential medicines. However, not all member states realise the potential savings that are possible through generic competition”. He concluded that “it is hoped that the chair will bridge the divide between scientific research and the implementation of policies surrounding generic medicines in European countries”.

Professor Simoens has worked extensively in the area of policy surrounding generic medicines in Europe and authored the 2006 report: ‘Sustaining generic medicines markets in Europe’.

Reference:

EGA Press Release, Inauguration at Catholic University of Leuven: EGA Chair “European Policy Towards Generic Medicines”, Brussels, 8 July 2010