Innovation through generic medicines: Is it time for a pan-European policy?

This expert article was written by Steven Simoens and first published in Journal of Generic Medicines, Volume 6, Number 1, November 2008

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Publication size: 6 pages
Publication date: November 2008
Published by: Palgrave Macmillan Publishing
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AUTHOR(S):

Steven Simoens is a professor at the Research Centre for Pharmaceutical Care and Pharmaco-economics of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He is a health economist and leads the Centre's research into the economics of medicines, medical devices and related products. His research interests focus on issues surrounding competition and regulation of the pharmaceutical sector and he has worked extensively in the area of policy surrounding pricing, reimbursement and distribution of generic medicines in Europe. He has been involved in multiple health technology assessments of antibiotics and of medical devices. Steven has over 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals, and has given over a 100 congress presentations.

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to report on the 'Innovation through generics' roundtable, which was convened at the European Parliament in April 2008 to discuss the role of generic medicines in stimulating innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. The roundtable identified a number of factors that hamper generic market entry in Europe and, thus, inhibit competition and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. These factors include the decline in true innovation in the pharmaceutical sector; shortcomings in current patent and registration systems; pricing and reimbursement delays for generic medicines; greater intellectual property protection and market exclusivity for originator medicines than in the United States; price linkage between generic and originator medicines in some member states; and a lack of demand-side measures that encourage physicians, pharmacists and patients to use generic medicines. There is a need for a pan-European policy relating to patents, registration, pricing and reimbursement, prescribing and dispensing of medicines. In particular, the creation of an internal market will benefit European healthcare by helping to drive down costs. The overall goal should be to support competition and true innovation and, thus, provide sustainable healthcare for patients throughout Europe.

ABOUT THE JOURNAL Journal of Generic Medicines ISSN: 1741-1343 The Journal of Generic Medicines is guided by its respected Editor Greg Perry (European Generic Medicines Association) and an international Editorial Board of leading practitioners and Association representatives from the generics industry. Journal of Generic Medicines is the major, international business journal written by and for expert analysis, briefings and legal updates on all aspects of business development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and marketing affecting the generic pharmaceutical industry. Each quarterly issue publishes analyses, briefings and updates which are of direct relevance to practitioners and that meet the highest intellectual standards.