Call for generic scripts
April 10, 2014
The Australia Institute has called
for a higher uptake of generic
medicines by seeking a ruling
that forces GPs to write computer
generated scripts generically.
In a submission to parliament, the
Institute argued that published data
from 2009-10 shows that 16.7m
prescriptions were dispensed
with a brand premium, adding an
estimated approximately $62.1m to
healthcare costs.
A key submission point sought
regulation to mandate that
prescription software default to
prescribe by active ingredient
rather that by brand name except
where the ‘no brand substitution’
box is marked.
“Automatically prescribing
medications by their active
ingredient would reduce reliance
on consumer awareness of
generics and incentive payments to
pharmacists with cost savings for
individuals and the government.”
The Australian Medical
Association had no comment on
the proposal at this stage.
Pharmaceutical Society of
Australia national president Grant
Kardachi said the organisation
would support processes that
encouraged the use of generic
medicines to help the consumer
and government save, while at the
same time acknowledging that
price competitiveness is “part of
the landscape.”
Kardachi said while generics use
was encouraged in the country,
more could be achieved with
better understanding by health
professionals and consumers.
“Education of generic medicines is
important to remove the myth that
generics are inferior of the original
brand.
“Sometimes there can be a
need for the original brand to be
maintained, for example to avoid
patient confusion.”
Consumers could talk to their
pharmacist to address any queries
about the use of generics, he said.
A Pharmacy Guild of Australia
spokesman said generics provided
the opportunity for major savings
and prescribing drugs by their
generic name and requesting
pharmacists to dispense generics
were often proposed as a way to
lower the national health bill.
“The practice of generic
substitution is strongly supported
by health authorities in many
countries including Australia.
“At the same time, the benefits
of lifting generic substitution
rates need to be balanced with
prescriber and patient choice.”
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