| According to recent research, nearly nine out | | | | stated that more than 70 brand name drugs, |
| of 10 clients decide to substitute common | | | | including 19 blockbusters, are losing their |
| brand name drugs by their generic versions | | | | patent protection within the next five years |
| within a few weeks of when these cheapest | | | | - with total yearly sales of $45 billion. If |
| drugs become obtainable. The researchers | | | | Medco's study reveals a long-term trend, in |
| analyzed four drugs: Allegra, Arava, Amaryl | | | | the coming years consumers, employers and |
| and Zithromax. In the second half of 2005, | | | | insurance companies will save billions of |
| each of these drugs run out of patent | | | | dollars in prescription drug - Smith said. |
| protection. Their generic equivalents were | | | | The data met with enthusiastic reaction from |
| bought instead at an average factor of 87 | | | | consumer groups. "We hope the trend |
| percent within 30 days of the equivalent's | | | | continues. It's good for consumers," |
| delivery at pharmacies. The research was | | | | confessed Bill Vaughan, senior policy analyst |
| organized by Medco Health Solutions Inc. | | | | for an advocacy group, Consumer Union, based |
| based in Frankin Lakes, which is the biggest | | | | in Washington, D.C. Vaughan mentioned that |
| drug benefit management company in U.S. The | | | | past fears concerning the effectiveness and |
| company bargains for low prices of | | | | safety of generic drugs have apparently |
| prescription drug on behalf of its customers. | | | | started to fade away as society has become |
| According to the study, Zithromax, the | | | | more concerned about rapid increase of |
| blockbuster of Pfizer Inc. with its annual | | | | health-care costs. "The FDA approves these |
| sales of $1.85 billion was rapidly | | | | generic drugs because they have been |
| substituted at pharmacies by generic | | | | determined just as safe and effective as |
| equivalent at a 90 percent rate just after it | | | | their brand name counterparts, but you pay a |
| lost its patent protection in November. The | | | | fraction of the price," Vaughan stated. "We |
| study authors mentioned the substitution of | | | | think this is very positive and can save |
| Zithromax, an antibiotic for respiratory | | | | consumers literally billions of dollars in |
| infections, as evidence that more and more | | | | the next few years." At the same time, large |
| doctors prescribe generic versions of brand | | | | pharmaceutical companies have claimed that |
| name drugs more easily, even if it is about | | | | their brand name drugs will not be |
| so-called acute care drugs, such as | | | | substituted by knockoffs as insurers and |
| Zithromax. "The really good news is that | | | | doctors realize that the brand name drugs |
| these four generic medications are just the | | | | guarantee better care and in consequence - |
| start. With a number of popular medications | | | | save money. Hank McKinnell, Pfizer Chairman |
| expected to move off patent in the next | | | | used that argument during last session with |
| several years, we should see substantial | | | | analysts in New York. "If you don't like the |
| prescription drug costs savings" - stated a | | | | high cost of health care, try the high cost |
| Medco senior vice president, Dr. Glen | | | | of sickness," McKinnell advised. |
| Stettin. A spokeswoman at Medco, Ann Smith | | | | |