Can authorities take advantage of the availability of generic atypical antipsychotic drugs? Findings from Sweden and potential implications

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Godman, Brian and Persson, Marie and Miranda, Jamilette and Barbui, Corrado and Bennie, Marion and Finlayson, Alexander E and Raschi, Emanuel and Wettermark, Bjorn (2013) Can authorities take advantage of the availability of generic atypical antipsychotic drugs? Findings from Sweden and potential implications. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 4 (3). pp. 139-150. ISSN 1759-8893 (https://doi.org/10.1111/jphs.12025)

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Abstract

Introduction: Multiple reforms in Sweden appreciably enhanced prescribing efficiency for proton pump inhibitors, statins and renin-angiotensin inhibitor drugs. Potential exists to extend this to atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPs), given their expenditure and oral generic risperidone available in Sweden from January 2009. However schizophrenia and bipolar disease are complex to treat and there is a need to tailor treatments, given the considerable inter-patient variability in responses and side-effects to different AAPs. Objectives: Assess changes in risperidone utilisation before and after oral generic risperidone reimbursed in January 2009 alongside any specific demand-side measures. In addition, to: (a) assess price reductions for risperidone over time and overall AAP expenditure; (b) suggest additional measures that could potentially be introduced; and (c) provide guidance to other European countries on the implications of any findings. Method: Principally a retrospective observational study and interrupted time series design. Key findings: No specific measures to encourage the prescribing of risperidone, and no appreciable change in its utilisation, after generics reimbursed. Oral risperidone was 96% generic, and its price 80% below pre-patent loss prices, by August 2011. This limited the increase in AAP expenditure compared with utilisation after generics. Conclusion: No apparent effectiveness or safety problems with generic risperidone. Authorities cannot rely on a spill-over from other disease areas to effect changes in physician prescribing habits. Specific measures are needed to encourage the prescribing of generic AAPs first line, where appropriate, exacerbated by the complexity of the disease areas. Their influence will be probably limited by the need to tailor treatment. © 2013 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

ORCID iDs

Godman, Brian, Persson, Marie, Miranda, Jamilette, Barbui, Corrado, Bennie, Marion ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4046-629X, Finlayson, Alexander E, Raschi, Emanuel and Wettermark, Bjorn;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)