Generic drugs to change the shape of healthcare in the UAE
SHARJAH: A top oficial of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the Middle East is looking forward to generic drugs being the first choice in all pharmacies across the UAE, following the decision of the Department of Health-abu Dhabi (DOHAUH) which had mandated all drugstores in the capital to offer these sets of medicines as the priority to patients or consumers beginning Sept.1.
Julphar general manager Jerome Carle also told The Gulf Today that consumers and patients must be made aware that generic drugs are as effective as the branded ones.
He said: “We believe that the aim of many authorities is to increase the availability and access to the full range of generic medicines available to give patients more choice.”
“We are committed to fair and open competition (vis-à-vis the branded medicines.) We welcome the (idea) of encouraging generics usage across the UAE as we believe it will be beneicial for the patients,” Carle also said.
Carle, with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, deined generic medicines as the drugs produced as alternatives after the original patent of the branded (introduced as innovator drugs) has expired. The purpose, components, eficacy and strength of the generic drugs are the same as the branded while their packages have passed the quality standards set by the authorities.
“When the patent expires, a generic alternative becomes available which offers better value to consumers without compromising on quality and safety.”
Carle was asked for his opinion on the possible pronouncement by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Sharjah Health Authority and the Dubai Health Authority on the all-out dispensation of generic drugs across the seven emirates as he had pointed out seven reasons for generics drugs production or manufacture to burgeon in the local front.
THE SEVEN ARE:
Life expectancy increases and demographic changes are both supporting market growth and contributing to pressures in the healthcare sector, particularly on pricing and access.
This is a challenge for the government to inance expansion of universal coverage and healthcare insurance.
The fast-growing population and a surge in the level of heart disease, strokes, cancer and diabetes make the UAE’S pharmaceutical sector and the local manufacture of pharmaceutical products in particular, vitally important.
By supporting generics usage, the UAE government will ensure that patients continue to receive excellent coverage and treatment as well as high quality products.
If the government generates savings as a result, they can continue to reward innovation as well as research and development.
The UAE’S medical tourism industry has grown substantially in recent years, bringing signiicant income to the region while boosting its global standing.
This is good news for the national economy and if generic medicines are to be offered as part of the package, it will make the UAE even more attractive and competitive in the international scene, and will help establish it as a destination of choice for patients across the region.
He noted the new DOHAUH ruling on generic drugs as “a signiicant development” for the following reasons:
More affordable prices for consumers will widen medical insurance cover and reduce out-of-pocket payments.
There will be more affordable medicines that could extend treatment options in the public health sector where ixed budgets place limits on treatment.
It will boost the local pharmaceutical industry while offering customers more choice.
Carle cited a report from the US research company on the healthcare industry IMS Health Institute which had reported that from 2007 to 2016, US residents were able to save $1.7 trillion for preferring generic drugs over the branded because these are also widely available across the country.