Low prices driving generics manufacturers out of market, group claims

The trade group representing manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines in Europe has sounded a warning about the ‘unsustainably low’ prices being paid for off-patent drugs that are leading some drugmakers to withdraw from the market and causing shortages of certain products.

To give weight to its argument, Medicines for Europe commissioned The Economist Intelligence Unit to come up with a report looking into the causes of shortages and address the measures that are leading to an increased risk of supply disruptions.

Adrian van den Hoven, director general of Medicines for Europe, said: "The study shows that we need predictable market policies for companies to continue investing in manufacturing. Preventing and mitigating shortages is a shared responsibility between manufacturers, regulators and payers who need to cooperate better in this field."