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Generic Medicines
Generic medicines are in the main copies of pharmaceutical
products that are no longer protected by patent. This makes
them attractive to the NHS, because they are generally less
expensive than branded medicines. Their manufacturers do not
incur the significant risks and costs associated with the
research and development of innovative medicines.
A generic medicine contains the same active ingredient as
a branded medicine that is no longer protected by patent.
It is likely to have similar, but not necessarily identical,
formulations to the original medicine. However, all generic
products have to go through the same stringent and quality
requirements demanded of the original product.
High-quality generic medicines from reliable authenticated
sources are a valuable component of overall healthcare expenditure,
but because they are by definition therapies which are at
least 20 years old, they cannot be a substitute for advances
in medical science arising from recent research and development
by the innovative research-based industry.
A growing trend
The prescribing of generic medicines in Britain is increasing.
It is higher than in many other EU countries – more than 66
per cent of all prescriptions are written generically. This
compares with 35 per cent only 15 years ago. In some GP surgeries,
generic prescribing is more than 90 per cent.
When they make decisions about prescribing, doctors have
to consider a wide variety of factors, often unique to the
patient, such as their ability or willingness to go along
with the course of treatment. If a generic medicine has a
different colour or shape, it can cause problems, especially
for older patients who have to take a range of medicines.
This can be a major source of waste in the NHS if expensive
medicines are left unused. In addition, there are potential
health hazards if the benefits of the treatment are undermined,
as many medicines are only properly effective if they are
taken as prescribed.
Value for money
Recent publicity concerning the rise in prices of many generic
medicines was the result of many different factors, including
the need to introduce Government-approved information through
the use of safe individual patient packs, as distinct from
the older practice of dispensing from bulk into bottles with
only limited information provided to the patient.
The prices of generic medicines offer the NHS good value
and the average prices of generic products is appreciably
lower in the UK than in France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Appropriate use of generic medicines can help to free up resources
for important new advances in medicines.
february 2001
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