Expanding generics and biosimilar drugs access a priority in Spain

The European Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (EGA) and the Spanish Generic Medicines Association (AESEG) are joining forces to increase Spanish patients’ access to generic and biosimilar medicines, highlighting the importance of introducing measures that will increase access to high quality medicines and remove market barriers.

Price differentiation between originator and generic medicines, the negative consequences of the procurement system in Andalusia and the Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) manufacturing waiver, which would create thousands of jobs for the Spanish pharmaceutical industry, were among the topics discussed.

Today, Spain is the only European Union country which forces originator companies to price their off-patent drugs at the same level as generic medicines. This policy is detrimental to the long-term ability of the generic medicines industry to increase patients’ access and provide savings to Spanish payers, as it removes all incentives for physicians to prescribe, pharmacists to dispense or patients to ask for a generic medicine.