UK government opens consultation on generic substitution, aiming to save 20.5 million a year

Proposals that would allow the automatic dispensing of generic medicines instead of branded drugs in primary care, even if the prescribing doctor or nurse has written a prescription for a brand, resulting in long term savings for the National Health Service, were set out yesterday by the UK Department of Health. The consultation will run from January 5 to March 30 of this year.

The DoH noted that the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) 2009 stated that, 'subject to discussion with affected parties, the Department of Health will introduce generic substitution in primary care. This will enable pharmacists and other dispensers to fulfil a prescription for a branded medicine by dispensing an equivalent generic medicine. Provision will be made to allow the prescriber to opt out of substitution where, in his clinical judgment, it is appropriate for the patient to receive a specific branded medicine. In these circumstances, the named brand must be dispensed. Provision may also be made to exclude certain categories of medicines for clinical reasons in the interests of patient safety.'

83% of scripts already written as generics

Currently, generic substitution is not allowed in the UK, though the vast majority (83%) of prescriptions are written with the generic name and filled accordingly. However, the government wants to increase this 88%. The NHS spends about £9 billion ($14 billion) a year on branded prescription medicines in the UK. Ministers estimate that even just switching half of those drugs for which a generic version exists could save £20.5 million a year. But official estimates show that the scheme could cost £4.5 million a year to run, on the top of £9 million in start-up costs.

Further to engagement with national stakeholders during 2009, the Department is consulting on three options for the implementation of generic substitution in England: