E-drug: Re: Information on Essential drugs and Generic prescribing (cont'd)
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In Zimbabwe generic prescribing is enshrined in the National Drug Policy
and is implemented in various ways. Teaching in medical school is by
generic names. Registration of all non-innovator pharmaceuticals should be
by generic name and package must have the generic name more prominent than
the brand. This is waived for innovator products. Most medical insurance
companies will reimburse a pharmaceeutical based on the cost of the
cheapest generic on the market, the so called Approved Medical Aid Award
(AMAA). Medical Insurance companies have actively promoted generic
prescribing by encouraging the patients to ask their physicians and
pharmacists for the generic medicine so they benefit fully from the AMAA
scheme. There is also an annual survey conducted in public and private
sectors to determine the percentage of generic prescribing. The pharmacist
is also empowered by law to substitute a brand name with a generic
medicine without having to consult the prescriber except for those
products of narrow therapeutic indexes.
Dr. Farai Chinyanganya
Lecturer in Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice
Pharmacy Department
University of Zimbabwe
Box MP 167
Mt. Pleasant
Harare
mobile: +26391320618
farai@compcentre.uz.ac.zw
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