asked the Minister for Health if he supports the widespread use of generic drugs; and if so, the reason.
Written Answers. - Generic Drugs.
41.
In the report of the Working Party on Prescribing and Dispensing in the General Medical Service published in 1976, the prescribing of generic forms of products was recommended where quality, bioavailability and bioactivity were therapeutically effective. In the report of the Working Party on the General Medical Service, published in 1983, promotion of the use of suitable generic drugs was again recommended.
My Department, along with the General Medical Services (Payments) Board, and Hospital Drug and Therapeutics Committees, continue to promote the use of generic drugs where suitable products are available. Generic drugs are by definition less expensive equivalents of proprietary or branded drugs. Therefore, where generic drugs are used in preference to proprietary drugs an appreciable saving can be made in Exchequer expenditure.