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Plans to use more generic drugs Plans to use more generic drugs
(10 minutes later)
Proposals to increase the prescription of cheaper generic medicines in primary care have been set out in England.Proposals to increase the prescription of cheaper generic medicines in primary care have been set out in England.
The Department of Health is keen to use more generic medicines as they are less costly than the branded equivalent.The Department of Health is keen to use more generic medicines as they are less costly than the branded equivalent.
The suggestions include establishing a list of products for substitution, and another list of items that would be exempt.The suggestions include establishing a list of products for substitution, and another list of items that would be exempt.
The proposals will be put out for public consultation over the next 12 weeks.The proposals will be put out for public consultation over the next 12 weeks.
We want to ensure patients and taxpayers get the best medicines at the best price Mike O'BrienHealth MinisterWe want to ensure patients and taxpayers get the best medicines at the best price Mike O'BrienHealth Minister
The NHS spends about £9bn a year on branded prescription medicines in the UK.The NHS spends about £9bn a year on branded prescription medicines in the UK.
A five-year voluntary agreement negotiated between government and the pharmaceutical industry last year, includes measures aimed at reducing NHS expenditure on branded medicines by an average of 5% a year over the lifetime of the scheme.A five-year voluntary agreement negotiated between government and the pharmaceutical industry last year, includes measures aimed at reducing NHS expenditure on branded medicines by an average of 5% a year over the lifetime of the scheme.
Generic medicines - which must contain the same active ingredient as the branded originals, and can be marketed once the originator's patent protection has expired - can save substantial costs.Generic medicines - which must contain the same active ingredient as the branded originals, and can be marketed once the originator's patent protection has expired - can save substantial costs.
Currently, around 83% of prescriptions issued by the NHS are for generic drugs, but ministers want this to rise by around 5%.Currently, around 83% of prescriptions issued by the NHS are for generic drugs, but ministers want this to rise by around 5%.
The Department of Health stressed that whichever option was implemented, health professionals would be able to stipulate on a prescription form where they do not think substitution would be appropriate.The Department of Health stressed that whichever option was implemented, health professionals would be able to stipulate on a prescription form where they do not think substitution would be appropriate.
Health Minister Mike O'Brien stressed patient safety was the top priority.Health Minister Mike O'Brien stressed patient safety was the top priority.
But he said: "We want to make sure that patients and taxpayers are getting the best medicines at the best price.But he said: "We want to make sure that patients and taxpayers are getting the best medicines at the best price.
"Where clinically appropriate, it is only sensible to allow more expensive branded products to be substituted with the same generic medicines which are just as effective as the branded version."Where clinically appropriate, it is only sensible to allow more expensive branded products to be substituted with the same generic medicines which are just as effective as the branded version.
"Introducing generic medicine substitution will deliver value for money and savings to the NHS which will go directly back into health services, ultimately benefitting patients and improving the care they receive.""Introducing generic medicine substitution will deliver value for money and savings to the NHS which will go directly back into health services, ultimately benefitting patients and improving the care they receive."
Doctors' reaction Reaction from doctors
Dr Bill Beeby, of the British Medical Association, said the UK already had a high usage of generic products, and the new proposals would only affect a small percentage of patients' prescriptions.Dr Bill Beeby, of the British Medical Association, said the UK already had a high usage of generic products, and the new proposals would only affect a small percentage of patients' prescriptions.
He said: "There are difficulties involved in introducing the substitution of generic drugs for branded products and for this to work there will need to be changes to prescription forms and computer systems.He said: "There are difficulties involved in introducing the substitution of generic drugs for branded products and for this to work there will need to be changes to prescription forms and computer systems.
"The emphasis must be on patient safety and minimising the chances for errors."The emphasis must be on patient safety and minimising the chances for errors.
"There are certain patient groups, for example those with epilepsy, where changes in medication could have serious consequences."There are certain patient groups, for example those with epilepsy, where changes in medication could have serious consequences.
"The proposal to target specific drugs where these risks are not present recognises those concerns, but it is still unlikely to be an easy process, and may not be the best way to achieve the desired cost savings.""The proposal to target specific drugs where these risks are not present recognises those concerns, but it is still unlikely to be an easy process, and may not be the best way to achieve the desired cost savings."
Not always possibleNot always possible
Neal Patel, from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said a number of medicines had no generic equivalent, and substitution was not always appropriate on clinical grounds.Neal Patel, from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said a number of medicines had no generic equivalent, and substitution was not always appropriate on clinical grounds.
He added: "Medicines that are thrown away by patients offer little value to the NHS."He added: "Medicines that are thrown away by patients offer little value to the NHS."
Richard Barker, of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said: "It is important to ensure that patients' health and safety is not compromised in the implementation of this new policy."Richard Barker, of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said: "It is important to ensure that patients' health and safety is not compromised in the implementation of this new policy."
Warwick Smith, director of the British Generic Manufacturers Association, said the proposals offered a "perfect balance" between the need for the NHS to gain maximum value from medicines, and unfounded concerns that patients would lose out.Warwick Smith, director of the British Generic Manufacturers Association, said the proposals offered a "perfect balance" between the need for the NHS to gain maximum value from medicines, and unfounded concerns that patients would lose out.
"The reality is that generic medicines are approved to the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as the equivalent brands and offer cost savings of up to 90%.""The reality is that generic medicines are approved to the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as the equivalent brands and offer cost savings of up to 90%."