Peter,
Snip
>It is my view that one of the problems of so much pressure to prescribe
>generics, for short term savings, is that new drugs will become relatively
>much more of an expense for the NHS, as the companies try to recoup more of
>their R&D costs while the drug is on patent. R&D costs have escalated
>enormously anyway because of safety considerations and clinical trial
>requirements. Add the need to recoup profits lost to the generic
>copy shops,
>and any new drug will in future become a serious burden for the DoH. I
>think our patients have the right to share with other western countries in
>new pharmaceutical developments, and I don't think rationing simply on the
>basis of cost is reasonable, especially if it is government policies that
>have skewed those costs, by distorting the free market.
Now it's you trying to be logical ;) but I suspect that wont work either.
While I do agree with you, its a question of who goes first. One surgery
(or even a PCG) wont support a drug companies R&D costs. Abandoning generics
will, in the short term just blow your drugs budget for your patients.
Regards
Jeff Green
Community Locum and Consultant Pharmacist
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