The Use of Generic Medications for Glaucoma

Abstract

The use of generic medicines has grown considerably in recent years providing considerable cost savings. In England, generic items represented 11.7% of prescriptions for glaucoma and ocular hypertension in 2009, increasing to 55.2% of prescriptions in 2018. Generics can be brought to the market quickly and at low cost as manufacturers are not required to repeat animal or clinical research on active ingredients already approved for safety and efficacy. Although there is no regulatory requirement for studies comparing branded and generic eye drops, several randomised crossover studies have been performed comparing branded and generic prostaglandin analogues. While most have shown similar intraocular pressure lowering, studies are of short duration and have not evaluated visual field endpoints. Furthermore, differences in inactive ingredients, pH, viscosity, levels of particulate matter, and degradation over time have been reported. Other potential problems with generic eye drops include differences in bottle design affecting adherence, problems with supply, and the possibility that reduced revenue for innovator companies will lead to reduced investment in new drug development. This article reviews the potential advantages and disadvantages of generic antiglaucoma medications.

«Enfermedad verde»: el reto diagnóstico del glaucoma. Reporte de caso

“…La OCT es una de las nuevas tecnologías más utilizadas en el proceso diagnóstico y de seguimiento del glaucoma. Su principio operacional es análogo al ultrasonido; utiliza señal de luz de 840 nm y mide estructuras de forma tridimensional en una escala de 5 μm [3][4][5] .…”

Nation-Wide Analysis of Glaucoma Medication Prescription in Fiscal Year of 2019 in Japan

“…In USA, brand/generic cost ratio was 75%/25% for glaucoma medication in 2013 [ 1 ]. In England, generic medications represented 11.7% of prescriptions for glaucoma and ocular hypertension in 2009, increasing to 55.2% of prescriptions in 2018 [ 23 , 24 ]; the introduction of generic latanoprost in 2012 more than halved the cost associated with this medication in England [ 3 ]. Accordingly, the results indicate the predominance of brand-name medications over generic medications in Japan.…”

“…Accordingly, the results indicate the predominance of brand-name medications over generic medications in Japan. Bioequivalence between generic and innovator compounds is presumed on the basis of matching active and inactive ingredient profiles, therefore the generic compounds may differ from innovator agents with regards to inactive ingredients, pH, viscosity, levels of particulate matter, degradation over time, bottle design, and rigidity [ 23 , 25 ]. The national mentality of Japanese on reliability preference rather than cost-benefit might associated with the low share of generic medication use even in 2019.…”

Quality of dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate containing eye drops distributed online

“…Eur. 6.3., 2009 , Uddin et al, 2017 ), and must contain 90.0–110.0% the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients stated on the labels of their containers ( Sharath et al, 2011 , Kahook et al, 2012 , Tatham, 2020 ).…”