Australian generic push
January 17, 2012
THE increased use of medicines
by Australia’s ageing population
underscores the need for policies
which encourage the uptake of
generic medicines, according to the
Generic Medicines Industry
Association (GMIA).
The comments follow the release
of a Government-funded survey
published in the Medical Journal of
Australia which found that blood
pressure lowering and
cholesterol-lowering drugs were
among the most commonly used
medicines in Australia.
The survey also revealed that the
use of antidepressants has
skyrocketed to one in 10.
“Medicines for many of these
conditions and more are about to
come off patent this year –
triggering a saving of tens of
millions of dollars for the Australian
economy as patients access
the more affordable, follow-on
generic medicines,” a GMIA
statement said.
Speaking in the wake if the
research, GMIA CEO, Kate Lynch
said “every time a consumer
chooses a follow-on generic
medicine, there are substantial
benefits to national savings.”
According to GMIA’s own research
the presence of a generics sector
saved the PBS at least $1.4b
between April 2005 and April 2009.
“GMiA understands that the
Government has set itself a strict
target aimed at returning the
Budget to surplus by 2012-13,”
Lynch said.
“The generic medicines sector is
in a position to help the
Government meet this target
through the PBS,” Lynch added.
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