Pharmacists, although they are obliged to do so, do not always propose cheaper and equally good alternatives - generic drugs. It is a sad sight when people with unrealized prescriptions leave the pharmacy counter, because they cannot afford expensive treatment.
A generic drug(restorative) is the equivalent of the original drug. It can be produced after the expiry of the patent protection for the "prototype".
Contains the same active ingredient and meets the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy. When it comes to market, the same strict regulations regarding the production process and side effects apply as for the original medicine.
Generic drugs - lower costs first
The original product is the first drug introduced to the market, the composition of which has a unique formula, contains a specific active (healing) ingredient and is covered by a patent. The equivalent of such a preparation may not be placed on the market until the expiry of the patent protection. After this time (maximum 25 years), its substitutes may be sent topharmacies .
They contain the same drug substance, but may differ in other ingredients, e.g. the weight of the tablet.Genericscontain well-known, safe and effective substances that were previously thoroughly clinically tested during the production of the original drug. Therefore, when developing its recipe, there is no need to double-check their operation and safety. This is a big saving for the manufacturer and the main reason why generics are cheaper than the original drugs, usually by 30-60 percent.
Generic drugs - secondly, equally safe
The manufacturer of a generic drug is, however, obliged to carry out bioequivalence studies, i.e. studies that are to prove the identical therapeutic effect of the original and generic drug. If there are no significant differences in the speed and degree of absorption of the active substance - the drug can be approved.
The manufacturing procedures for generic drugs are as strict as for the originator drugs. Pharmaceutical companies are obliged to manufacture these preparations in accordance with the principles of the so-called good manufacturing practice (GMP), which is controlled by the appropriate pharmaceutical regulatory authorities. Any restorative preparation stays on the market before it hits the marketsubjected to acute evaluation. If it is already on sale, it is the manufacturer's responsibility to monitor any adverse effects. Each signal of an undesirable, dangerous action must be described and attached to the documentation, constituting a history of the drug.
Domestic pharmaceutical companies have made huge strides in the manufacture of generics. For example, PLIVA Kraków can boast of prestigious quality certificates of restrictive global agencies - the European MHRA and the American FDA. The task of both agencies is to ensure that drugs and medical equipment placed on the market meet the appropriate quality and safety standards. Both agencies allow for export production to the countries of the European Union and the United States market, respectively. Generic preparations meet the same standards as the original preparations. Their use makes it possible to reduce the costs of drugs, both from public money and from patients' pockets. Therefore, the generic drug may and should replace the original drug.
Generic drugs - thirdly, as recommended
- The safety of generics is the same as the original drugs - says prof. Marek Stępniewski from the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University. - Each original or generic drug has its own side effects or undesirable effects. From a medical point of view, the most important thing is to choose the drug that gives the least possible negative symptoms for the patient. The patient should consult a pharmacist at the pharmacy when replacing the original drug with a generic. It is important to strictly follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor or stated in the leaflet. If adverse symptoms occur, consult a pharmacist. When that doesn't help - with a doctor, and certainly not with Goździkowa.
He althy rules
Original drug patent protection usually lasts 20 (up to 25) years. Even during its term, companies involved in the production of generic drugs are conducting research on the active (healing) substance contained in the original drug. They develop their own recipe for the drug that works just like the original one. Usually, two years before the end of patent protection, efforts are made to register the drug and allow it to be sold. As soon as the protection is lifted, the drug is on the market and it is possible to continue the therapy much cheaper.
When there is no reliable information
At the end of 2005, PBS conducted research on prescription fulfillment at the request of the Polish Association of Employers of the Pharmaceutical Industry. They show that in 2005, 85 percent. patients filled their prescriptions in full,and 9 percent bought drugs, asking for cheaper substitutes. When asked why not all prescriptions were filled, 53 percent. she replied that she had no money. Among this group, the most numerous were people over 50. Patients also complained (almost 50%) that doctors did not talk about the price of drugs. It is significant that 81 percent. patients who were given a choice by the doctor chose a cheaper drug. It also happens that the patient's decisions are influenced by (false) information obtained from the doctor that more expensive drugs are more effective.
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