FAQ
What is a generic medicines?
A generic medicine contains the same active medicinal substance as an originator pharmaceutical product. Because it acts in the same way in the human body, it is interchangeable with the originator product. You may recognize a generic medicine because it has the EFG abbreviation in the label.
What is the difference between a generic medicine and a branded medicine?
Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as originator pharmaceuticals and act in the same way on patients. Equivalent generic medicines may contain different non-active ingredients (such as colourings, starches, sugars, etc) and they may differ in size, colour or shape, but none of these have any impact on the therapeutic effect, ie, the way they work in the patient’s body. In some cases, the active ingredient in generics and originators may also differ in salts and esters. And just as when originators modify the non-active ingredients, salts or esters in their products, these differences must not affect the therapeutic equivalence between the different products.
What are the advantages of generic medicines?
The key advantage of generic medicines is the lower final selling price for consumers, which can be 60% less than the originator product, due to the fact that generic medicines do not have to make the investments of pharmaceutical companies to discover the new mollecules.
Is the quality of generic medicines the same as the originator products?
Generic medicines must comply with exactly the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy as all medicinal products. They are produced in inspected plants under what is known as “GMP” or “Good Manufacturing Practice”. And, just like originator products, once a generic medicine is sold on the market, it must be monitored by the manufacturer in case any adverse reactions are reported.
Where can I find out that a generic medicine has been officially approved in Spain?
The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Sanitary Products (AEMPS) is the official body in charge of revising, evaluating and authorising the information on the technical specifications of all the medicines. These specifications are the only official information facilitated by the AEMPS and can be consulted through the www.agemed.es website or by calling the following number in Spain: 902 510 100.
Are generic medicines really less expensive?
Yes, and the savings are significant. Generic medicines cost 20% to 80% less than the original price of their band-name equivalents. In addition, competition from rival generic products forces originators to reduce their own prices after — or sometimes before — patent expiry.
How do generic medicines contribute in saving money?
The direct consequence of using generic medicines is that the price reduction helps to save more than 50% of the price of the original product with equivalent brand. Generic medicines are a benefit for citizens as they have to pay less for a medicine and they contribute to rationalize public expense in medicines, without losing quality or efficacy.
What does the EFG abbreviation stands for?
The EFG abbreviation stands for Equivalent Generic Medicine. This abbreviation differentiates the generic medicine from the branded or originator medicine.
Who guarantees the efficacy of the generic medicine?
As it happens with any other medicine, the national Health department is in charge of authorising a generic medicine.
