The impact on health outcomes and healthcare utilisation of switching to generic medicines consequent to reference pricing: the case of lamotrigine in New Zealand

[Real-life study with pharmaceutical cannabidiol in refractory epilepsy]

Pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (CBD) is an alternative treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). In 2022, the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires implemented a non-medical change (NMC) of treatment, replacing one commercial pharmaceutical-grade CBD product with another, the latter also being the initial option for new patients.

Our objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the commercial product change in this population.

Methods

Retrospective cohort of DRE patients who either switched from one commercial pharmaceutical-grade CBD product to another or started treatment with the new product. The clinical response was evaluated by changes in seizure frequency, perception of change with the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale, and safety considering discontinuation and/or the presence of adverse effects.

Results

Nineteen patients were included, 12 in the change group and 7 in the new start group (7 pediatric and 12 adults). One patient discontinued treatment due to lack of response. Among those who completed follow-up, 8 (44%) reduced seizure frequency, 6 (33%) showed no change, and 4 (22%) increased seizure frequency. According to the PGIC scale, 9 (50%) remained unchanged, 5 (28%) reported barely noticeable changes, and 4 (22%) reported improvement. Adverse events were mild and transient.

Conclusion

The new commercial pharmaceutical-grade CBD product is a safe and valid option both for substitution and initial treatment in patients with DRE. During the treatment period, patients perceived stability or improvement according to the PGIC scale.

Bioequivalence, Drugs with Narrow Therapeutic Index and the Phenomenon of Biocreep: A Critical Analysis of the System for Generic Substitution

The prescription of generic drugs represents one of the main cost-containment strategies of health systems, aimed at reducing pharmaceutical expenditure. In this context, most regulatory authorities encourage or obligate dispensing generic drugs because they are far less expensive than their brand-name alternatives. However, drug substitution can be critical in particular situations, such as the use of drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (NTI). Moreover, generics cannot automatically be considered bioequivalent with each other due to the biocreep phenomenon. In Italy, the regulatory authority has established the Transparency Lists which include the medications that will be automatically substituted for brand-name drugs, except in exceptional cases. This is a useful tool to guide prescribers and guarantee pharmaceutical sustainability, but it does not consider the biocreep phenomenon.

Evidence-based public policy making for medicines across countries: findings and implications for the future

Aim: Global expenditure on medicines is rising up to 6% per year driven by increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and new premium priced medicines for cancer, orphan diseases and other complex areas. This is difficult to sustain without reforms. Methods: Extensive narrative review of published papers and contextualizing the findings to provide future guidance. Results: New models are being introduced to improve the managed entry of new medicines including managed entry agreements, fair pricing approaches and monitoring prescribing against agreed guidance. Multiple measures have also successfully been introduced to improve the prescribing of established medicines. This includes encouraging greater prescribing of generics and biosimilars versus originators and patented medicines in a class to conserve resources without compromising care. In addition, reducing inappropriate antibiotic utilization. Typically, multiple measures are the most effective. Conclusion: Multiple measures will be needed to attain and retain universal healthcare.

Drug and therapeutics committees in Nigeria: evaluation of scope and functionality

Introduction: Inappropriate use of medicines remains a problem, with consequences including increasing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and prolonged hospitalizations. The Essential Medicines List and Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs) are accepted initiatives to promote the rational use of medicines. However, little is known about DTC activities in Nigeria, the most populous African country. Areas covered: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among senior pharmacists, consultant physicians, and clinical pharmacologists in 12 leading tertiary health-care facilities across Nigeria. Expert commentary: Six (50%, 6/12) health-care facilities had existing DTCs with three (50%) having a subcommittee on antimicrobials. Seventy-five percent had infection control committees, with presence even in centers without DTCs. Chairpersons and secretaries of the DTCs were predominantly physicians (83.3%) and pharmacists (100%), respectively. Hospital formularies were available in five facilities with DTCs, while one facility without a DTC had an Essential Medicines Committee responsible for developing and updating the hospital formulary. The evaluation of ADRs was undertaken by pharmacovigilance units in nine facilities. Overall, DTCs were present in only half of the surveyed facilities and most were performing their statutory functions sub-optimally. The functioning of DTCs can be improved through government directives and mechanisms for continuous evaluation of activities.

Safety of switching from brand-name to generic levetiracetam in patients with epilepsy

Purpose

The approach to the use of generic antiepileptic drugs has recently evolved from major concern to general acceptance, but the evidence related specifically to the safety of switching from brand-name to generic levetiracetam (LEV) is scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of increased frequency of seizures or other adverse events after replacement of a brand-name LEV with a generic one.

Patients and methods

This retrospective analysis included 159 patients treated with LEV in a tertiary outpatient epilepsy clinic. We included all patients diagnosed with epilepsy who were treated with LEV as at March 1, 2013. Most patients were forced to switch to the generic LEV because of the sudden rise in cost of the branded LEV. We recorded data on age, sex, age at onset of epilepsy, type of epilepsy, and its treatment. We analyzed data from one visit before potential switching and from two visits after the potential switching. The interval between visits was typically 3 months. We registered an increase in the frequency of seizures and in the occurrence of adverse events.

Results

Among 151 subjects who switched to generic LEV after March 1, 2013, increased frequency of seizures was noted in 9 patients (6%) during the first follow-up visit. Patients with increased frequency of seizures did not differ from other patients regarding sex, age, age at the onset of epilepsy, and the median dose of LEV before switching or the median duration of treatment with LEV before switching. Two patients returned to brand-name LEV. Adverse events were noted in six other patients (4%) and included somnolence, irritability, or dizziness.

Conclusion

Switching from brand-name to generic LEV is generally safe.

Drug Brand Response and Its Impact on Compliance and Efficacy in Depression Patients

Introduction: Patient's response to drug brand is a comprehensive physiological and psychological effect which might impact the compliance and efficacy of drugs. Whether the therapeutic outcome altered on patients with brand response after they experience drug switch is not clear.

Methods: 459 outpatients with mild-to-moderate depression were divided into the imported (joint venture) drug group and the domestic drug group according to their current drug application. Two groups of patients were assessed by drug brand preference questionnaire and medication compliance questionnaire. Patients with brand preference in imported (joint venture) drugs group received rational use of limited medical resource and pharmacoeconomics education, and then switched with domestic drug for 8 weeks. Safety and efficacy were evaluated both before and after the drug switch.

Results: Overall, there were 27% of patients in imported drug group and 35% of patients in domestic drug group have brand response, respectively. About 2/3 patients in both groups showed low or no brand response. The compliance was similar in both groups with no significant difference (6.04 ± 2.08 vs. 4.74 ± 2.13, respectively, P > 0.05). The efficacy of imported drug group was significantly better than of the domestic drug group. Correlation analysis showed that in imported (joint venture) drugs group, medication compliance was closely related with brand response, but negatively correlated with age and duration. In domestic drugs group, medication compliance was independent of brand response, but closely related with education, age, and duration. After drug switch with domestic drug on patients with brand response, patients continued to maintain good antidepressant effect, and no severe adverse reaction occurred.

Conclusion: The results suggested that domestic drugs switch might be feasible for patients using imported drugs with brand response, while providing patients with rational use of drug education and psychological support. The medical staff should focus on medication education to help patients make better use of limited medical resources.

An Evaluation of Health Service Impacts Consequent to Switching from Brand to Generic Venlafaxine in New Zealand under Conditions of Price Neutrality

OBJECTIVE

To study the health impact on adult New Zealand patients who switch from originator brand to generic venlafaxine.

METHODS

The national pharmacy database was used to select patients using venlafaxine for at least 6 months. Switchers and nonswitchers were identified, and switch behavior was compared for a 12-month follow-up period. Change in health service use following switching was also compared between switchers and nonswitchers including use of the emergency department, hospital, and specialist outpatient services over the same period.

RESULTS

Approximately 12% of all originator brand users switched to generic venlafaxine, at least half of whom continued to use the generic throughout the follow-up period to August 1, 2012. Almost 60% of new users of the generic venlafaxine, however, switched to using the originator brand. Aside from a slight reduction in the use of outpatient services among switchers, there were no significant differences in health services use between switchers and nonswitchers for either existing or new venlafaxine users.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both products remain fully subsidized and available, there is little incentive for prescribers, pharmacists, or patients to switch to the less expensive generic brand. If savings to the national New Zealand budget are to be realized, additional policy measures should be implemented to minimize incentives for multiple and reverse switching, and prescribers, as key opinion leaders, could take the lead in promoting generics to their patients.