Others
First posted: 12/12/2011
Denmark is already a mature (well-established) market* in the use of generic medicines.
The market share of generic medicines by volume in 2004 was 57%, representing 23% in value [2]. However, generics presence could still be improved, and the following are some ideas that could help to increase the generics market share in Denmark:
Recommendations
Reduce the administrative burden for running the reference pricing system, or eliminate it altogether [1].
Educate physicians and patients about the substitutability of generic for originator medicines [1].
Make physicians give justification for refusing generics substitution.
Introduce prescribing budgets and sanctions for generics prescribing.
Make prescribing by international non-proprietary name (INN) compulsory and strengthen INN prescribing with electronic prescribing systems, incentive schemes, prescribing guidelines and formularies.
Decrease the co-payment for generics to encourage patients to demand generic medicines.
* A mature generics market is one where generics have been on the market for more than 10 years and where the market share of generics exceeds 40% [2].
References
1. Simoens S, De Coster S. Sustaining Generic Medicines Markets in Europe. April 2006. [monograph on the Internet]. Brussels, Belgium, European Generic medicines Association [cited 2011 December 06]. Available from: www.egagenerics.com/doc/simoens-report_2006-04.pdf
2. Simoens S. International comparison of generic medicine prices. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007;23(11):2647-54.
