Research proves branded drugs not superior to generics

Contrary to the perception among doctors and patients, there is no evidence that brand name drugs are clinically superior to their generic counterparts for treating cardiovascular diseases, according to a study conducted by medical practioners at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Debunking the theory put out by brand-name manufacturers who have suggested that generic drugs may be less effective and safe than their brand name counterparts, an analysis of 47 studies of various cardiovascular drugs done by researchers found no evidence that brand name drugs are any better in terms of clinical outcomes than generic drugs.

Aaron S. Kesselheim, M.D of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and his colleagues decided to find out if branded drugs really were superior in treating cardiovascular disease, who happens to be the largest number of patients using prescription drugs outside of the hospital.

The researchers assessed the clinical differences resulting from the use of generics or brand-name drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease, and conducted a meta-analysis on studies on this subject published from 1984 to August 2008.

For the study, the researchers systematically searched studies published between 1984 and 2008 and listed in a number of well known medical databases.

All of the studies involving beta blockers, antiplatelet agents, statins, ACE inhibitors and alpha-blockers showed clinical equivalence, while 91 per cent of randomised controlled trials showed clinical equivalence for diuretics, and 71 per cent showed the same for calcium-channel blockers.

''Generic drugs are available for nearly every condition but generally are underused in the marketplace, and one of the reasons they're underused is that there is a perception out there among physicians and patients that brand-name drugs are better than generic drugs,'' Kesselheim said.

''There are a number of studies out there saying that generic drugs should be an important part of a physicians prescribing treatment, that they're able to reduce costs and improve patient adherence which can lead to better patient outcomes,'' Kesselheim revealed.

Generic drugs may differ in terms of colour or shape of the pill as well as some of the inert binders, but contain the same ingredients as their brand-name drugs but it cost far lesser than branded drugs.

A generic drug is one that is identified by its chemical name and distributed without patent protection. Although it is mixture and contain the same active ingredients as branded drugs, generic drugs only differ in color or shape of the pill and a few inert clinically inactive ingredients.

The huge advantage is that it costs anywhere between 30 to 80 per cent less than branded drugs.

Meanwhile last week the European Commission has accused drug companies of blocking the entry of cheaper generic drugs into Europe.

Neelie Kroes, EU competition commissioner, said the commission would take action against those companies if any EU laws had been broken.