E-drug: Concept of generic drugs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear all,
When reading articles, papers, etc. on access to medicines, I
always find certain level of confusion with the concept of
*generic*.
In many instances generic products are described as "Products
marketed under the INN". But, at the same time, generic
prescribing is enhanced as a measure to decrease prices, giving
as example the use ARVs from Cipla from India. Unfortunately,
this generic manufacturer, as many others, have preferred to give
their products a new brand name, because of marketing reasons.
Although prices are indeed lower for these ARVs than the
originators', their use will not be encouraged by the policies of
generic prescription and generic substitution.
I see more and more this kind of confusion, specially now that in
many countries (both developed and developing ones), generic
policies are being implemented.
WHO proposes the term multi-source, but that concept include as
well the originator when there are many generics equivalent
(because it is an old product, off patent normally everywhere, and
still with potential market).� MULTI-SOURCE is the opposite of
LIMITED and/or SINGLE-SOURCE.
I think there is actually a real need to find two different words:
- One word for the concept of COPY of the originator product,
regardless of the name under which is marketed. We need a less
pejorative synonymous thought. It will be the opposite to
ORIGINATOR drug. This is the idea behind recent discussions on
access to HIV/AIDS drugs for example.
- Another word for drugs marketed under the INN. It will be the
opposite of BRAND NAME PRODUCT. This is the concept behind
generic prescribing policies.
Maybe, if as result of a debate, we can come up with clear terms,
we could contribute to stimulate generic manufacturers to market
their products under INN and not a new brand (fantasy) name.
Carmen Perez Casas
Consultant Pharmaceutical Management and Planning
Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 630 930 587
e-mail: carmenpcasas@mixmail.com
--
To send a message to E-Drug, write to: e-drug@usa.healthnet.org
To subscribe or unsubscribe, write to: majordomo@usa.healthnet.org
in the body of the message type: subscribe e-drug OR unsubscribe e-drug
To contact a person, send a message to: e-drug-help@usa.healthnet.org
Information and archives: http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug