Generics/Research
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.
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.
Benefits and risks of generic substitution
According to the FDA, each year, Americans save an estimated US$8–10 billion by purchasing generic drugs rather than branded medications. These savings are, of course, the key advantage of generics. However, the very reason for these cost savings—the fact that generic drugs do not have to undergo the large, expensive clinical trials that are required for approval of branded drugs—gives rise to questions about the quality and safety of generics.
Savings due to generic substitution in South Africa
A retrospective analysis of medical claims for antidepressants during 2004–2006 in South Africa calculated potential savings of 9.3% of the actual antidepressant cost over the study period.
Compliance with generic drug use among Pakistani immigrants
Patients using antihypertensives, antidiabetics or cholesterol-lowering drugs were interviewed using a questionnaire in the study which investigated the perceptions of generic substitution among Pakistani immigrants in Oslo, Norway, and how this affected compliance with their long-term drug use and may be affected by confusion of generic drugs with counterfeit drugs [1].
The benefits of generic substitution
Recent research carried out by Drs Lewek and Kardas, showed that generic drugs are equally as safe and effective as their brand-name equivalents. Patient compliance and cost were also found to be better with generics compared to brand-name drugs.
Different routes for generics and brand-name drugs
Comparison of the route to market generics and brand-name drugs was discussed by Dr Lewek and Dr Kardas in their recent research paper on the benefits and risks of generic substitution.
The status of generic substitution in South Africa
In South Africa only around 13% of the population live in what we would call ‘first world’ conditions. More than half the population (around 48 million people) live in developing world conditions according to researchers from the School of Pharmacy at the North-West University, South Africa.
Generic substitution generates savings in South Africa
Savings of 9.3% over the 3-year study period could have been made with generic substitution of antidepressants according to research carried out by the School of Pharmacy at the North-West University, South Africa.
