Biotech Values

[Biopharm investor]

north40000

That is not a good way to run a health care system IMO.

Generic substitution of branded drugs saved the US health care system $734 billion in the ten year period ended in 2008 and the savings are growing annually, with 2008 savings alone being $121 billion. Most developed health care systems around the world (facing the same economic and demographic shifts as the US) are moving toward greater utilization of generics like the US system.

And while not all generics are Q & Q, to my knowledge, there's never been any serious systemic safety issues associated with relying on PK/BE studies to support approval of a generic alternative since the advent of the generic industry in the mid 80's. If a generic does not yield the desired efficacy, the patient can simply revert back to the brand.

I find it curious that anyone would willingly sacrifice the kind of cost savings to the heath care system that generic drug substitution provides. What would you propose we do to replace the savings generated by generic substitution?