Issues

GPhA Position

Consumers should be well informed and confident when taking generic drugs. The more consumers and health care providers know about the safety, quality and value of generic medicines, the more they will enjoy the tremendous benefits and savings offered by these important medicines. GPhA has long been committed to educating consumers and health professionals about the safety and effectiveness of generic medicines, and the leading role they play in keeping the American health care system among the world’s best.

Background

During 2009, the 25th Anniversary of the Hatch-Waxman Act and creation of the modern generic industry, GPhA is redoubling its commitment to consumer education. Throughout the year, we will use various venues to highlight the critical and indispensable value of generic pharmaceuticals in health care reform, in increased health for patients, and in reducing the total costs of medicines by accounting for two out of every three prescriptions now dispensed in the U.S.

As part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration, GPhA will sponsor educational outreach programs for state and federal legislators and health care administrators, and will endeavor to ensure that the media provide factual representation of the safety and sameness of generic medicines. Through cooperative efforts with employers, coalition members, pharmacies, insurers, and payors, GPhA will provide educational resources for consumers about the availability of safe, affordable generic medicines.

• Colleagues and Employees: GPhA will encourage colleagues within the health care community to share factual information about the value of generic prescriptions, communicate the contributions of the generic industry over the past 25 years, and ensure that health care reform initiatives include generics–and ultimately biogenerics–as cornerstones of every effort to lower America’s prescription drug bill. And GPhA will work with its member companies on outreach initiatives that extend generic educational efforts to employees, employee families, and the communities in which they live and work.
• State Programs: GPhA will look for opportunities to partner with states to develop materials to support generic use and patient acceptance and understanding of generic drugs. Information for developing materials including brochures, frequently asked questions, lists of approved generics, tips for managing medicines, guidelines for generic access, generic savings programs, and more are available from GPhA.
• Pharmacies: GPhA will continue to seek ways to partner with pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies to provide information, advice and guidance on developing generic materials that can be provided to patients.
• Media: Since its formation, GPhA has served as a resource to the media for research and materials about generic industry issues. This activity continues unabated, as the Association works daily to respond to reporter inquiries and to shape public debate about health care reform and generics through interviews, press releases, statements, and participation in public forums.

While each of these GPhA educational initiatives are customized to fit the intended audience and need, they all focus on the core message that generics are the same medicine, provide the same results, but at lower cost than their brand-name counterparts.

Related Information

Background

May 1, 2003 - AARP Generic Drugs Issue Brief (243.78KB PDF)

Other

December 16, 2008 - Strategies to Increase Generic Drug Utilization and Associated Savings (189.07KB PDF)

August 7, 2006 - Facts About Generic Drugs

January 1, 2006 - Generic Drugs – What You Need to Know” from Consumer Reports (69.26KB PDF)

August 17, 2005 - Generic Drugs: What Everyone Should Know

May 3, 2004 - Savings From Generic Drugs Purchased at Retail Pharmacies

December 1, 2003 - FDA-Generic Products Must Meet High Standards

January 6, 2003 - FDA Ensures Equivalence of Generic Drugs