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[Generic and biosimilar drug substitution: a panacea?]
Revue Medicale Suisse
|December 16, 2015
Summary
Generic drugs offer significant cost savings in Swiss health insurance, potentially reducing expenditure by at least 30%. Their safe use is established through bioequivalence studies, though patient and physician acceptance varies. Biosimilar substitution further enhances these savings.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health Policy
- Drug Regulation
Context:
- Drugs represent a major expenditure in Switzerland's compulsory health insurance.
- Generic drugs are mandated to be at least 30% cheaper than originator products.
- Biosimilar drugs offer potential for cost reduction in biotech treatments.
Purpose:
- To analyze the cost-saving potential of generic and biosimilar drugs in Switzerland.
- To examine factors influencing the acceptance of generic and biosimilar substitution.
- To address pharmaceutical "evergreening" strategies that may limit cost savings.
Summary:
- Generic drugs, requiring bioequivalence studies for approval, offer substantial savings but face acceptance challenges.
- Substitution of biosimilar drugs for more expensive biotech alternatives can yield further cost reductions.
- Pharmaceutical companies may employ "evergreening" tactics, involving minor modifications without proven clinical benefit, to extend patent monopolies.
Impact:
- Increased utilization of generics and biosimilars can lead to significant healthcare cost savings.
- Understanding acceptance factors is crucial for maximizing the uptake of lower-cost drug alternatives.
- Regulatory scrutiny of "evergreening" strategies is needed to ensure genuine competition and patient benefit.
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