The new regulation comes into place from September 1st. It comes into effect to have the generic medicines to be the first choice for the residents residing in Abu Dhabi and people will have to pay up the difference if choosing any other specific brands.
According to a new decision by the health industry regulator, “Pharmacies in Abu Dhabi have been told to dispense generic medicines to all patients and people who prefer a specific brand will have to pay the difference in price.”
The move by the regulatory implementing the new regulation now mandatorily required the dispensing of medicines that are generic and also to be the very first option to patients. Patients who look for the medicine with the same chemical compounds but of a different or specified brand name can also have it, but will have to pay up the difference in the price tag between the medicine that is generic and branded. The move to do so comes about to promote the local and regional pharmaceutical industry.
The regulation is circulated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health among health care providers, pharmacies and insurance companies on July 23 which will come into effect from September 1st.
Dr. Mohammad Waseem Akram, director of medical affairs at Universal Hospital, “As per standard practice in the emirate, physicians have long been allowed to only prescribe medicines using the name of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. “This is standard international practice, and prevents physicians from promoting a particular pharmaceutical brand. In addition, different countries may have different trade names for a medicine but the active chemical substance would remain the same, thus preventing any confusion.”
Dr. Diab Kurdi, head of pharmacy at Burjeel Hospital, explains that, ““Generics have the same efficacy as the originally patented medicine. One example for a generic loratadine could be Neoday, which is produced in the UAE. On the other hand, if the patient wants Clartin, (produced by the Germany-headquartered firm Bayer), they will still have the option to get it, as long as they pay the difference in the price.”
He also goes on to further add that, “The difference in price between a brand name medicine produced abroad and the generic form of the drug could be as much as 70 per cent. Many patients have to co-pay a certain amount for their prescribed medications, so opting for the generic drug will reduce their expenses. It will also reduce the outlay by insurance providers and encourage local pharmaceutical production and innovation.”