Generic heart drugs measure up to branded versions: review
03.12.2008 23:38
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Brand-name drugs for treating cardiovascular disease don't appear to be clinically superior to generic versions, say U.S. researchers who reviewed studies comparing the drugs. Some doctors and patients have expressed concerns that the drugs may not be equivalent in their effects, although generic drugs are chemically equivalent in terms of active ingredients, the study's authors said. In Wednesday's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Aaron Kesselheim of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston and his colleagues combined the results of 30 studies done since 1984 that compared nine subclasses of cardiovascular medications, 81 per cent of which were randomized controlled trials. "The studies in our sample concluded that generic and brand-name cardiovascular drugs are similar in nearly all clinical outcomes," the researchers concluded. Brand-name prescription drugs are sold at high prices after approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and while under patent protection, the study's authors said. Brand-name cardiovascular drugs may cost as much as a few dollars per pill while generics may be as little as a few cents a pill, Kesselheim added. "If a patient is prescribed a generic drug because that's what's appropriate for their condition, then they should feel confident taking that drug. And physicians themselves should also feel confident prescribing generic drugs where appropriate," Kesselheim said in a telephone interview. The review of randomized clinical trials found clinical equivalence in: - 7 of 7 trials for beta-blockers.
- 10 of 11 trials of diuretics.
- 5 of 7 trials for calcium-channel blockers.
- 3 of 3 trials for antiplatelet agents.
- 2 of 2 trials of statins.
- A single trial for angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors.
- A single trial for alpha-blockers.
Cost questionsOf 43 editorials and commentaries reviewed, 23 or 53 per cent expressed a negative view of the interchangeability of generic drugs compared with 12 (28 per cent) that encouraged substitution of generic drugs, with the remaining eight not reaching a conclusion, Kesselheim and his colleagues said. As for why, commentaries may be more likely to highlight doctors' concerns based on anecdotal experience, and the conclusion of the editorial writers could be skewed by financial relationships, the team said in noting that nearly half of the editorials and commentaries did not identify sources of funding. Generic medications account for 65 per cent of all prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. and less than 21 per cent of money spent on prescriptions, according to IMS Health, a company that tracks prescription drug sales. "The contention that brand-name medicines drive up the cost of health care is fatally flawed," Ken Johnson, senior vice-president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, which represents brand-name drug makers, said in a statement released in response to the study. "Without today's innovative brand-name drugs to legally copy, there would be no generic drug industry," he said. The study's authors reported no financial disclosures. With files from ReutersStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedExternal LinksAbstract of clinical equivalence review, JAMAPharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America statement on JAMA study(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesHealth care often inaccessible to Inuit: reportInuit have far less contact with doctors than the average Canadian, particularly in the northern communities where few have hospitals, a new Statistics Canada report says.Self-embedding of objects in body a puzzling teen disorderSome teens are wounding themselves and embedding objects such as paper clips and glass to cope with disturbed thoughts and feelings, say U.S. doctors who are looking for ways to remove the objects safely.Add sleep break for doctors in training: reportDoctors training at hospitals should limit how long they work without a sleep break to reduce the chances of fatigue-related medical errors and improve their learning environment, an expert panel in the U.S. recommended.Online stem cell therapies 'not ready for prime time,' study cautionsA Canadian study says consumers should be wary of web-based clinics that offer unproven stem cell therapies for numerous diseases.Ontario adds 6 new drugs to coverage listOntario added six new prescription drugs, including a long-lasting form of insulin and a colorectal cancer medication, to its list of those covered by the Ontario Public Drug Programs. Health FeaturesWEEKLY CHECKUPPutting kids firstLessons from Madonna and GuyIN DEPTHCholeraNUTRITIONTrans fatsGirl Guides moving away from 'bad' fats FOOD SAFETYJuice boxes Reports of leaks prompt CFIA investigationVIDEODodaAddictive poppy derivative poses challenge to police (2:18)CAMPUS CRACKDOWNDrunken studentsA problem that is well past the tippling pointPeople who read this also read …
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