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Generics and biosimilars Initiative

Building trust in cost-effective treatments

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Enfoque por país/United Kingdom | Posted 25/05/2011 0 Post your comment

The UK is already a mature (well-established) market* in the use of generic medicines.

The market share of generic medicines by volume in 2008 was more than 82%, representing 26% in value [1]. However, generic presence could still be improved, and the following are some ideas that could help to increase the generic market share in the UK:

Recommendations

Strengthen prescribing by international non-proprietary name (INN) with electronic prescribing systems, incentive schemes within PCTs, prescribing guidelines and formularies [2].
Increase generic substitution by pharmacists by allowing substitution for all prescriptions (including those not written by INN) unless prohibited by the physician.
Introduce incentives, such as reduced co-payment for generic medicines, to encourage patients to demand generic medicines [2].

* A mature generic 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. NHS National Statistics. The Information Centre (Health Care).Prescriptions Dispensed in the Community Statistics for 1998 to 2008: England. 29 July 2009.

2. Simoens S, De Coster S. Sustaining Generic Medicines Markets in Europe. April 2006. [monograph on the Internet]. Brussels, Belgium, European Generic Medicines Association (EGA) [cited 2011 May 13]. Available from: www.egagenerics.com/doc/simoens-report_2006-04.pdf