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Generic medicine and clones’ attack  (from Online Pharmacy)

You can treat a particular disease with different medicine – cheap or expensive, locally produced or imported.  However, when it comes to choosing a medicine both doctors and patients suppose the more expensive medicine the more effective it is.  Meanwhile, not a lot of people can explain what the real difference is between expensive medicine with a well-known brand and their cheap analogues, known as generic medicine. 

What is generic? 

It is a medicine analogue, which was developed some time ago, it was successfully used in clinical practice, and the term of its patent was over.  Generic medicine has got the same healing characteristics as its brand analogue because everything can be copied – mixture of drugs, medicine title, as well as package design.  In other words, it is an imitation of medicine of an original manufacturer, something like a fake, but a legal one with guaranteed quality. 

One of the most popular generics was, is, and will be aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).  A German chemist Felix Hoffmann got a patent for aspirin in 1899.  Due to this patent Bayer company was the only manufacturer of this medicine up until 1930s.  As it was the only producer they could dictate prices.  (By the way, we have got the same situation our days; when some medicine is protected by a patent, the price is very expensive and the formula cannot be copied.)  In 930s the patent for aspirin was expired, so other labs could produce this medicine, the price went down.  At present we can get the so called original aspirin by Bayer as well as lots of its analogues.  All these products will contain the same drug - acetylsalicylic acid, however, Bayer aspirin will be more expensive one. 

Why is it cheap? 

The creation of a new drug is a difficult and thorny path.  Not all the developments end up in a pharmacy, as during development process, which is highly pricy, there might be revealed some side effects, for example medicine could be toxic or some other specific serious downside. 

Let us take a look at situation when all research and development processes as well as testing went absolutely well and there are high expectations.  We have got the following picture – after coming up with the formula, we need to get a patent.  After that there are clinical tests in labs, after which it is tested on volunteers with this particular disease in hospitals.  If there is success at this stage, this drug will be registered as medicine and will be allowed for public use. 

However, this is not the end for a manufacturer.  There are series of clinical tests again; all the aspects of the drug are closely studied in order to prove its effectiveness and safety.  It is quite a possibility that during further research scientists might come up with new schemes of treatment, which will help lots of patients. 

It is a false impression to think that a manufacturer will be getting richer and richer due to the income from a particular medicine.  There is such a concept as a term of patent – during its duration the formula belongs to the inventor.  On average it is about 20 years.  Thus, a pharmacy company has got up to 5 years available to cover all the costs of long-term research and development.  All of the above explains high prices of original medicine. 

Whereas the companies that manufacture generic medicine do not incur research and development costs, all they have to do is to reuse the formula.  That is to say, they do not spend money on testing and proving their rights on a new formula – it is only about using an already developed formula, adding some active ingredients to it, and making sure all the components are of a high quality.  When generic medicine is entering the market, there is also no need in advertising and brand promotion.  That is why a “copy” is a couple of times cheaper than its “source”. 

Is cheap bad? 

According to pharmacists’ opinion, in spit of cheap prices, most generic medicine is of a good quality and is absolutely safe to use.  The thing is most generic pharmaceutical companies produce versions of popular and effective drugs with a well-known history of use, and manufacturing.  Such companies will not work with some doubtful formulas. 

As an example a popular antidepressant can cost about $20.  However, its formula’s main element is used in other pills, and the price for those pills is twice cheaper.  So if this generic medicine is produced by a company with a good reputation, the quality will be as good as the original. 

Pharmacists have come to a conclusion: the product will be popular due to its reputation and/or active advertising campaign.  They also suppose the quantity of original medicine will decrease, whereas the volumes of generic medicine and its quality will go up. 

Who needs generic? 

First of all a consumer is in need of generic medicine. 

Some doctors do not take into consideration the level of patient’s income.  How often are you asked whether you need a cheap or expensive medicine?  There is a very common situation when a retired person comes to pharmacy with a prescription for medicine worth of $200; whereas the same generic medicine will be twice cheaper.  Undoubtedly, a doctor does not have time to investigate his patients’ finances.  Also the original medicine might be more popular due to money spent on its advertising; or a doctor is encouraged to prescribe this particular medicine. 

What will happen next? 

Generic medicine was, is and will be on the market that is what pharmacists say.  Yes, people’s income is growing, but difference of one-two hundred dollars in prices is still an issue.  That is why cheaper “copies” are the best solution both for pharmacies and public health system. 

Opinion 

What does a customer buy more often? Original (brand) medicine or generic ones with good reputation? 

Mark, manager:

It is a widely spread practice when a person needs an antibiotic and instead of prescribing him a budget solution medicine, he will be offered its pricey analogue.  I have come through this so many times, and what’s more interesting in the same pharmacy.  I was told “we are sorry, but we are out of stock, however we can offer you another medicine, a better one, but more pricey.”  I would end up buying the offered medicine and found out it was not better.  So why pay more?  I would be better off with a cheaper analogue.

 Mary, teacher: 

Of course I am not happy about paying money for something I do not need.  Medicine must heal.  Brands are just labels – it’s mostly about fashion or kitchenware.  So in most cases I would prefer generic medicine produced by a manufacturer with a good reputation. 

Valentina, doctor: 

There is no doubt generic medicine is quite cheaper than brand/original medicine, however, it does not mean its effectiveness is less.  That is why I mostly prescribe generics I have worked with and trust their quality.  I am happy with their effectiveness and it is more affordable for my patients.