The last section of the report offers a data-driven illustrative example of how generic substitution can result in significant cost savings in countries. It does this by presenting data from 2004 for several EU countries discussed in the report. The data lists the top 10 drugs (8 in the case of Poland) by public expenditure, including the savings that could be had were generics substituted for these brand-name drugs. The analysis assumes a 95% generic substitution rate.

Results are compelling and point to a 21% savings in Poland to 48% in Denmark. The table shows, of the countries surveyed, the brand-name drug with the highest public expenditure in each country and the amount of savings that could be made were a generic substituted for that drug in that country.

Table: Potential savings in EU countries from generic substitution for top drug

Table adapted from the Sustaining Generic Medicines Markets in Europe report (April 2006).

Related articles

Recommendations to strengthen generic medicines markets

Policies that advance the use of generic and biosimilar medicines

Recommendations for developing generic medicines markets

Strengths and weaknesses of developing generic medicines markets

Recommendations for mature generic medicines markets

Strengths and weaknesses of developing mature medicines markets

Overview of the Sustaining Generic Medicines Markets in Europe

Reference

Simoens S, De Coster S. Sustaining Generic Medicines Markets in Europe. April 2006.