E-drug: Generic drugs versus brand names
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February 4, 1998 WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration
has bad news for drug companies trying to fend off cheaper
competition: Generic drugs are just as good as the brand names.
A letter faxed last week to doctor organizations and every state
board of pharmacy signals the FDA's frustration with a fierce battle
between the $500-million-a-year blood thinner Coumadin and its
new generic competitor.
Interesting. The rate of generic prescribing of anticoagulants in my
region of the UK (NorthEast England) exceeds 95% with no reports of
therapeutic failure due to inequivalence.
Mark Campbell
Regional Drug and Therapeutics Centre
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Mark.Campbell@newcastle.ac.uk
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