Generic medicines

Tackling antibiotic resistance an NHS success, finds major report on developed countries’ health services

The UK is one of the few countries where antibiotic resistance has fallen in recent years, according to an investigative report.…

Government released drugs from central stockpile to deal with generics price hikes, NAO finds

A National Audit Office report has revealed the government released supplies of a medicine from a central stockpile to deal with the increased cost of generic medicines.…

‘It went berserk’: Generic medicines chaos hits pharmacies hard

The prices of generic medicines are rising, caused by action by regulators and a decrease in the value of sterling following uncertainties about Brexit, leaving pharmacies out of pocket.…

Switchbacks to branded products more likely with generic medicines than authorised generics, study finds

Switching from branded to authorised generic medicines is associated with a lower switchback rate than switching from branded to generic medicines, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal (3 April 2018).…

Pharmacies under ‘enormous pressure’ because of generic drugs, says PSNC

Ongoing supply and price issues with generic drugs are putting pressure on community pharmacy contractors, the PSNC says.…

Government trialling new method of setting price concessions

The government has begun trialling a new approach to setting price concessions following sharp spikes in the prices of some generic drugs.…

FDA aims to speed up approvals of generic drugs

The US Food and Drug Administration has published guidance aimed at speeding up approvals of generic drugs.…

More generic prescribing could save £18m, NHS Business Services Authority says

Nearly £18m could be saved from the NHS drugs budget if more medicines from a published list were prescribed generically, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) has said.…

Generic shortages: what can be done?

The supply of generic medicines is vulnerable to the vicissitudes of market forces, with exchange rates fluctuating and manufacturers restricting distribution. The Department of Health needs to intervene to shield pharmacies from the impact of price spikes and ensure the resilience of the …

Boots bows to pressure to sell cheaper morning after pill

High street pharmacy chain Boots announces it will sell a cheaper version of the morning after pill but issues BPAS with legal warning over its campaign.…