DOH steps up generic medicines promotion

PALO, Leyte, Sept. 27  -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is stepping up the promotion of generic medicines, citing affordability, safety, and effectiveness of these products.

FDA Eastern Visayas regional field supervisor Sonia Cabahit, in an interview Wednesday, said they have been trying to change public perception about generic medicines.

“The generics are copies of originator branded drug products that contains the same active raw materials and effectiveness of those branded medicines that have passed the FDA quality tests,” Cabahit told PNA.

“This product offers substantial health to the people and economic benefits due to its affordability.”

Cabahit said they want people to spend less for medications while ensuring proper treatment.

“Why choose expensive when there are way cheaper?” she asked.

The FDA official explained that generic drugs are cheap not because they are of low quality, but because the manufacturers did not invest a lot of money on the research, development, marketing and promotion of the medicines.

The Department of Health’s (DOH) regulatory unit conducts monitoring and of generic medicines in the region monthly.

Meanwhile, to ensure public safety , the DOH, FDA and local government units prohibits people from buying prescribed medicines in any unauthorized and unlicensed establishments, side stalls, convenient stores, and especially online.

“These medicines are not allowed to be consumed and sold without proper registration,” Cabahit said.

The strong advocacy on generic drugs is part of Generics Month celebration every September. This is in recognition of the birth of Generics Act of 1988, which aims to promote, require and ensure the production, supply, distribution, use and acceptance of drugs and medicines using their generic names.

Under the Generics Act of 1988, government physicians are penalized if they prescribe branded medicines to the patients, and pharmacists should provide an option to buyers prescribed with branded medicine to buy a generic brand. (SQM/with reports from Reynadel F. Costillas , OJT/PNA)