Editor's note: we report for the topicality that still has today, a PharmaKronos article from 2009 on the alleged savings produced by generics in Spain.
The use of equivalent drugs, cheaper than the 'designer' versions with expired patents, does not generate savings for citizens or for national health systems, but only for pharmacies. This is what is revealed by a report by the Catalan Autoritat of Competencia published by the Spanish newspaper 'The Vanguard'.
The Catalan competition authority therefore points out that, while the retail price of these drugs is adjusted to the reference price established by the government, the discounts offered to pharmacies are around 40%. On the other hand, according to an editorial signed by Jaume Puig, professor of the Economics and Health Research Center of the Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona "the reference pricing system has been able to reduce the progressive increase in the cost of medicines for which there is a generic and, from this point of view, it has been positive. But competition in terms of the prices of drugs on sale to the public is very limited and explains the fact that some countries have implemented ad hoc reforms to improve the situation" .
Barbara Di Chiara – PharmaKronos – 15 December 2009 – N° 187 – year 3
