The UK Department of Health has decided not to introduce generic substitution as proposed by the 2009 PPRS, due to an inconclusive public consultation on the subject.
A DH response, published today, stated that although the Coalition Government “intends to stand by the 2009 PPRS agreement”, other ways of supporting the use of generics would be explored.
The consultation took place between 5 January and 30 March 2010, and 423 organisations and individuals responded.
Various concerns were raised by those who responded to the proposals, including the perception that the proposals would harm patient health and a belief that the effort of implementing the scheme would outweigh any cost benefits.
“The DH will be looking at further ways to support the use of generics in a way that is acceptable to patients,” the DH response stated, adding the acknowledgement that “there are still some savings that can potentially be delivered in this area”.
The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has announced its intention to work with the DH in exploring these alternative options “to safeguard and maximise the generic contribution to the NHS”.
BGMA Director, Warwick Smith, said: “We share their frustration at the remaining small amount of brand prescribing when there is no clinical reason not to use the equivalent but much more cost-effective generic. Generic competition already saves the NHS £8.6 billion per year, delivering lower costs and greater accessibility to treatments for patients.”
Tags: BGMA, DH, generic medicines, generic substitution, The British Generic Manufacturers Association
Thursday, October 14, 2010
UK DH rejects generic substitution « pharma news
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