As Government decides against generic substitution in the NHS, the ABPI reiterates its support for the right mix of generic and innovative medicines in these times of financial constraint, and welcomes Government’s ongoing commitment to the 2009 PPRS agreement.
Dr Richard Barker, Director-General of the ABPI said: “Generic medicines play a vital role in the NHS armoury. Most prescriptions in the UK are filled with off-patent medicines, but many patients need modern branded medicines to be adequately treated. However, we see parts of the NHS inappropriately switching such patients to low-cost generics and so putting their welfare at risk. It’s vital that patients, not short-term financial targets, come first in the choice of prescription medicines.”
“The UK currently ranks amongst the lowest in Europe in the uptake of innovative medicines, despite having amongst the lowest prices. The NHS is getting a great deal on both branded and generic medicines and so can use the right mix of the two to reduce the long term burden of disease, and so deliver cost-effective care. This is the right solution for patients, the NHS and for Britain’s world-leading life sciences sector.”
“The stability offered by the Government’s commitment to continuing the PPRS to 2014 is vital. It will help maintain investment and allow time for a careful co-creation of a new value-based agreement between Government and industry – keeping patient access to medicines as our prime focus.”
Source: Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)