Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSDH launches consultation on generic substitution
The Department of Health has launched a formal consultation into the automatic generic substitution of medicines.
The proposals could allow pharmacists to routinely dispense generic medicines over more expensive branded products, paving the way for a revision of how healthcare professionals prescribe medicines in the NHS.
The consultation will look at three possible options for the prescription of drugs that could help slash the NHS’ pharmaceutical budget, including allowing generic medicines to be prescribed instead of branded products in certain circumstances.
This would allow health professionals to “pick and choose” the appropriate prescription for the situation based on a patient’s individual medical history.
University Hospitals of Leicester Trust’s senior nurse for medicines management, Matt Griffiths, said practice nurses should ensure they are aware of any changes made to a patient’s prescription.
“We have to ensure cost effective prescribing, particularly in the current financial climate, but there are many reasons why branded medicines may be more appropriate,” he said.
“If a patient changes to a generic product that does not suit them it could affect adherence and management of their condition. Practice nurses should discuss any changes made to a patient’s medications so that they can ensure they have the right prescription,” he added.
The 12-week consultation will close on 30 March 2010.
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Readers' comments (2)
Anonymous | 6-Jan-2010 9:07 pm
If they want to slash the drug budget, how about looking at the immense waste of drugs, often expensive ones, that goes on in hospital. Very few unneeded drugs can be returned to pharmacy for re-labelling, most are ditched. Thousands on thousands of pounds being incinerated daily. Criminal.
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Margery Mary Hawkins | 7-Jan-2010 7:33 am
Well, what are you to do when your GP changes the meciaction suddenly???
You have to throw out the old medication.
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