Study finds 87% of consumers
are switching to Generic Drugs
18 January, 2006
A recent study concluded that nearly nine out
of 10 consumers are switching to generic versions of popular brand
name drugs within weeks of when the less expensive drugs become
available.
The analysis of four drugs - Allegra,
Arava, Amaryl and Zithromax - each of which lost patent protection
in the second half of 2005, showed that generic versions were purchased
instead of the brand name at an average rate of 87 percent within
30 days of the substitute's arrival at pharmacies.
The study was conducted by Frankin Lakes-based
Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest drug benefit management
company, which bargains for low prescription drug prices on behalf
of its clients.
Consider Zithromax, a Pfizer Inc. blockbuster with
annual sales of $1.85 billion, which lost its patent protection
in November and was quickly replaced at retail pharmacies by generic
versions at a 90 percent rate, according to the study.
Authors of the study cited the rapid shift away
from Zithromax, an antibiotic used to treat respiratory infections,
as evidence that more and more doctors are growing comfortable prescribing
generic versions of brand name drugs, even so-called acute care
drugs such as Zithromax.
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