E-DRUG: Israel introduces generic drugs scheme (2)
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E-Druggers,
The Knesset should be congratulated for supporting the generic scheme. I
hope the scheme goes further to 'order' generic prescribing. Prescribing in
commercial names should only be reserved where substitution (not only
generic) my pose danger to the consumer, particularly for drugs with narrow
therapeutic windows and newer drugs.
It is obvious that generic substitution improves the probabilities of
affordability, improved care and equity of access to the needed drugs.
Above all, the regulatory authority must ensure that the quality and
biovailability standards are not compromised. In addition, our dear
pharmacists should ensure that in course of duty, add value to their
initiated care and build confidence, not only in themselves, but also in
the products they dispense. Their professional competence must be seen to
benefit the society.
Some African societies have had confidence in their health providers since
immemorial and never bother much with the names of the drugs dispensed.
What matters most is being given a drug to alleviate the health problem.
This could be a cultural phenomenon where the traditional healers never
(usually) tell the name of the medicine but counsels the customer to follow
the instructions carefully to obtain the best results of the drug.
That confidence is attainable in the modern society.
kind regards
Oliver Hazemba
Zambia
Email: ohazemba@zamnet.zm [signature manually added; WB]
[some response from Israelian E-druggers on how the scheme has been
received by healthworkers and consumers? WB]
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