Research

The generic form of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) has the potential for significant cost savings for payers following its introduction in November 2011. However, ‘aggressive business tactics’ by Pfizer may stifle generics competition and so prevent prices from falling as much as predicted.

A study comparing pharmacokinetics and tolerability of branded etanercept (25 mg) and its biosimilar (25 mg) in Korea reported by Gu et al has shown that the reference drug and the test biosimilar met the standard criteria for assuming bioequivalence as defined by Korean regulatory authorities [1].

According to a systematic review of data, use of a cheap generic drug could potentially save many trauma patients every year [1].

One of the main financial concerns expressed by adults in the US is the cost of medications and medical bills, however, despite this fact, very few patients talk about the price of prescription medicines with their physicians, according to Consumer Reports' monthly nationally representative survey [1].

A recent study carried out in Malaysia has shown that pharmacists in the country have a lack of confidence in generic medicines produced by local pharmaceutical companies [1].

Despite generics of Pfizer’s blockbuster cholesterol-reducing drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) being available in the US since the patent expired in November 2011, many patients are still receiving the brand-name drug [1].

Significant cost savings can be made by governments by encouraging prescribing of generics rather than brand-name drugs. In Scotland, in an effort to control medicines expenditure, measures were introduced in 2000 to encourage the prescribing of generic proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1].

Since 2000, measures have been introduced in Scotland in order to encourage use of generic rather than brand-name proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1]. The impact of these measures on the prescribing practices in Scotland has been positive. Generics use has increased, and costs for the Scottish government have decreased.

In Scotland, a series of measures have been introduced since 2000 in order to encourage use of generic rather than brand-name proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins [1]. Some of the measures introduced include:

Wider publication of bioequivalence, safety, or efficacy data to demonstrate the effectiveness of generic drug compounds may help to nullify the last remaining anti-generics argument: that generics do not achieve the same therapeutic standards as the original branded drug.