(IRIS PRESS) - ROME, NOVEMBER 21 - "Once again we are witnessing a violent attack against the use of generic drugs. In this case, the doctor's obligation to prescribe the active ingredient of the drug is being contested.
Time ago Federconsumatori denounces the disinformation campaign of the drug lobbies and deems it necessary for the Minister to develop an effective information campaign for the dissemination of generic drugs. In fact, studies and surveys confirm that citizens' knowledge and use of these medicines is strongly conditioned by the resistance of doctors and pharmaceutical companies and by the lack of information in this regard”.
This is what we read in a press release from Federconsumatori.
“It is important to underline that equivalents are not class B medicines, also because, with the same efficacy and safety, they allow for a reduction in pharmaceutical expenditure, both for the National Health Service and for the citizen. We therefore ask the government to confirm its commitment to increase production and facilitate its use. In Italy the use of generics barely reaches 15%: a very low percentage, especially if compared to the European average, which exceeds 50%” continues the association.
"THE citizens have the right to know that: equivalent or generic drugs can be placed on the market when the patent of the original drug expires. The equivalent must have the same quality and same quantity of active ingredient as the original drug, the same pharmaceutical formula and the same bioequivalence” explains Federconsumatori.
“Equivalent drugs are not interchangeable and do not need to be changed frequently to allow for effects to be controlled (particularly for transplant patients). The World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency) and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità are responsible for certifications and authorisations. Even for generics, a doctor's prescription is mandatory” concludes the press release.
Editor's note: about disinformation it should be pointed out that even with the same efficacy and safety, they do not make it possible to reduce pharmaceutical expenditure for the NHS as the reference price for each given drug (whether generic or branded) has been in force for some time. When it is stated that equivalent medicines are not interchangeable and should not be changed frequently, it is stated that they are not the same. the AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency) and the Higher Institute of
