Sodium Chloride/Normal Saline Nasal drops??

[JonF]

The PCT i work in fell for this 3 years ago. You wouldn't believe the amount of Lopace(ramipril), Simvador(simvastatin), Felotens(Felodipine) etc. we get through!!!

[the old merlin]

Scamp is right.

It's several years ago now, but just before I left the Head of Finance in the PCT I was working for came to me. He and his team had been to a "jolly" celebrating some anniversary of the auditors and there had been either a presentation or a stand from one of these BG firms.

Why, he wanted to know, was I not promoting the use of BG's. I pointed out the problems, and then went on to ask whether or not he considered it appropriate for his team to go to such a function!

Never heard what became of it, but I do know that the BG's never went any further.

Theoretically, of course, the idea could be sound, if it didn't entirely counter to the principles principles behind the pharmacy contract.

[Pharmanaut]

Originally Posted by the old merlin

Scamp is right.

It's several years ago now, but just before I left the Head of Finance in the PCT I was working for came to me. He and his team had been to a "jolly" celebrating some anniversary of the auditors and there had been either a presentation or a stand from one of these BG firms.

Why, he wanted to know, was I not promoting the use of BG's. I pointed out the problems, and then went on to ask whether or not he considered it appropriate for his team to go to such a function!

Never heard what became of it, but I do know that the BG's never went any further.

Theoretically, of course, the idea could be sound, if it didn't entirely counter to the principles principles behind the pharmacy contract.

Could someone summarise the problems associated with Branded Generics?

An interesting thought...
It would be nice if we pharmacists could set up their own BG company with a couple of high-volume SR/XL products, get them promoted into PCTs. We then benefit from the prescribing policy as shareholders and if you are a contractor, you beat the tariff.

Wonder what the start up costs are. Assuming that you can contract the manufacturing and packing to one of the generics companies etc. We could go on 'dragons den' with the idea!

[Scamp]

Problems include (I'm sure there are more though!).......

Contradicts advice to prescribers to prescribe by generic name.

Supply problems - I don't think Discovery deal with all wholesalers, so causes problems for pharmacies.

Availability issue for patients - many pharmacies won't stock the branded generic so it limits the ease at which they can access their meds.

It's very short-sighted - who knows what's round the corner? (an even cheaper BG from another company; the DT price is reduced to reflect the price of the cheapest BG).

P*sses off doctors & patients.