FAQ
The following section addresses some of the key questions that have been asked by patients about the use of generic medicines in Australia.
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Yes, generic medicines sold in Australia are bio-equivalent , which means they have the same safety, quality and effectiveness as original medicines. Before being approved the generic manufacturer must show that the medicine has the same active ingredient in the same strength and dose as the original brand of medicine. They must also show that the medicine is manufactured using the same stringent quality and safety standards that apply to all medicines sold in Australia. Their equivalence to the original product is proven. 09-05-2010
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When doctors write a prescription they can choose not to allow generic substitution. If your doctor doesn’t make that choice, your pharmacist knows that generic substitution is permitted.
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Simply, a generic medicine will give you the same health benefits, safety & effectiveness as the original brand of medicines and they may save you money.
- Generic medicines may offer you better value. Choosing a generic will save you money if the original version has a ‘Brand Price Premium’.
- Generic medicines have proven equivalence to the original medicines and have been evaluated and approved by the Australian Government.
- Generic medicines support the Australian health system because of the way medicines are subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
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A Yes, in most cases but you should always discuss changes in your medication with your doctor or pharmacist first.
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Generic Medicines provide value to Australia’s healthcare system because of the way medicines are subsidised in Australia under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Lower prices make medicines available to people who might otherwise not be unable to afford them. They also help to relieve financial pressure on increasingly cost-conscious public health systems.
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To learn more about the PBS, visit the Department of Health and Ageing’s website: http://www.health.gov.au/pbs -
Demand for medicines is increasing all the time, driven by a steadily ageing global population, economic growth, related lifestyle changes and technological progress. At the same time, healthcare costs continue to rise year on year. Governments and health professionals worldwide are realising the importance of promoting generics and are acting accordingly.
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Globally, medicines represent between 8% and 15% of total health spending. Developed countries are struggling to control rapidly rising healthcare costs, while people in developing countries are often unable to afford live-saving medicines. Generics increase access by keeping costs down, and may often help to save lives. In addition, savings can free up resources for new innovative medicines – which will in turn become the generics of the future.
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Generic medicines are offered at lower prices than reference medicines because initial basic and clinical research programs do not need to be repeated in full, thus reducing investment.
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Patents further the public interest by giving a temporary monopoly to inventors of new products in return for sharing their knowledge with the broader scientific community. The temporary monopoly allows inventors to recoup their costs and make a reasonable profit. However, once the period of the patent is over, the knowledge enters the public domain and can be utilized by everyone. In the pharmaceutical industry, this is where generics come in.
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