Le Gemme, the association of generic manufacturers calls on the Minister of Health in an open letter to maintain a favorable context for the development of generic drugs in France.
The use of generics would allow 1.5 billion euros in savings
Following the announcement of severe price cuts, which endanger the pharmaceutical economy but also the investment and industrial use of generic drugs in France, which represents 15,000 employees, the Gemme openly addresses the Minister of Health to remind him that “if the use of generic drugs in France reached a share equivalent to that observed in other European countries, it would be 1.5 billion euros in additional savings each year for the health system “says Erick Roche, President of Gemme. “Weakening generic drugs through drastic price cuts is to burden the collective savings that our health system so badly needs”.
Patients, manufacturers and the State would come out on top with generics
To make its request heard, the association details in its open letter the real and serious reasons for which the use of generics must be developed and promoted.
Increasing the use of generics would allow patients to have preserved access to therapeutic innovation, health insurance to make additional savings, pharmacists to be less worried about the future of the pharmacy network, and manufacturers generic medicine to invest with more visibility in France.
“Generic drug manufacturers want to be part of a constructive approach, and are ready to play their full part in the government’s objective of savings”. But he immediately clarified that “this requires clearer and more transparent rules and a partnership relationship, focused on the long term and not at the mercy of sudden, unilateral and unjustified price reductions”, explains Erick Roche, President of Gemme.
Find an alternative to generic price cuts
“We are responsible manufacturers and are convinced that there are other solutions than repetitive price reductions to obtain lasting savings; a “win-win” partnership that would allow us to preserve our health model, while adapting it to the economic constraints that are ours”, concludes the association
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