The generic drug market stagnated in 2013. For the association of generic professionals, it is urgent to take measures to boost sales and prescriptions.
After catching up in recent years, the generic drug market is once again at a standstill in France. Indeed, 2013 is a sluggish year for generic drugs. “A symptomatic year of the absence of long-term structural measures”, estimates the association “Generic, same drug” (1) in its latest 2013 review on the generic market.
A savings of 2.4 billion in 2013
According to the association, if we first examine the year 2013 as a whole, we see that the growth of the generic drug market has returned to the known rates of 2006 and 2007: i.e. + 12.7 % in value and + 16% in volume. Thus, in 2013, the generic drug market represented 785 million boxes sold and € 3.4 billion in turnover.
These figures are important for Health Insurance, because the use of generic drugs allowed savings of 2.4 billion euros in 2013 and nearly 15.5 billion euros since 2000.
A trend reversal in July
However, despite these rising figures, these generic drug manufacturers are worried in view of this 2013 report. . “In fact, following the visible catching up in the first half of the year, Gemme, the association of generic professionals, observed a slowdown and then a decline in the market from August.
According to the association, the restart of the first semester is only the extension of a “mechanical” recovery after two consecutive years of slowdown. In addition, Gemme regrets that this development is above all the sign of a recovery exclusively supported by the Third Party Paying Against Generic measure. With this measure, the patient is exempted from the advance of the costs if he accepts the substitution of the drug prescribed by a generic.
Thus, in the end, between the first and the second semester, the generic market hardly grew any more: + 1.81% in volume and 0.18% in value. Finally, “under these conditions and without measures with regard to prescribers both in town and in hospitals, the outlook for the market and collective economies shows almost zero growth for 2014”, s alarm the Gem.
Proposals to boost generics
Faced with this observation, urgent measures are needed “if, as reaffirmed by President Hollande, France finally wishes to catch up!” », On its European neighbors.
Among the proposals formulated by the association to boost this market appears first, “that of getting prescribers to prescribe in the repertoire of generic drugs in proportions close to those of their European colleagues.” However, we are far from it. Currently, 40% of drugs prescribed by French doctors are generic compared to 70% in the United Kingdom and Germany.
In addition, the association calls for confirming the major role of pharmacists in substitution at high levels, while ensuring that the economic role of generic drugs at the pharmacy is maintained.
Finally, it is necessary, according to her, “to boost patient confidence by immediately launching a major communication campaign with the general public.” ”
(1) The association brings together 14 generic drug manufacturers: Arrow Génériques / Actavis, Biogaran, Cristers, Delpharm, EG Labo, H2 Pharma, Hospira, Médis, Ranbaxy, Sandoz, Substipharm, Teva Laboratoires, Zentiva and Zydus.
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