9 October, 2007

The Generic medicines are an equal choice campaign, recently launched by National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is expected to increase consumer questions to health professionals about generic medicines.

NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said that the main objective of this campaign is to promote the safe and appropriate prescribing, dispensing and use of generic medicines by health professionals and consumers alike.

"It is important that consumers not only understand about bioequivalence, but that they also understand that there are some instances when switching is not safe or recommended," explained Dr Weekes.

"Consumers are advised to consult with their health professional if they are considering switching to a generic medicine to ensure it is the right choice for them."

Use of generic medicines must benefit the consumer without placing him or her at increased risk of medicine misadventure. For example, if a patient is likely to become confused because of a change in the appearance of a medicine or packaging, then switching brands would not be in that patient’s best interest.

In NPS News No. 44 "Generic medicines: Same difference?" NPS advised "When a patient is stabilised on a particular brand of a critical dose medicine, avoid switching brands if possible because the effects of potential medication errors after brand switching are likely to be more serious than with other medicines."

In that article, NPS also advised prescribers to "Consider the comparative cost of, and patient preference for, particular brands at the outset of treatment. The decision to use a generic medicine should ideally be made when treatment begins."

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.