Branded generics

‘Branded generic’ drugs are generic medicines which bear a brand name.   Branded versions of metformin MR (the generic), for example, are Bolamyn, Diagemet, Glucient, Metabet and Sukkarto.

Some primary care organisations operate prescribing incentive schemes which favour the prescribing of branded generics by GPs where these drugs have a list price below the Drug Tariff reimbursement price for the generic. These schemes may be short-term in nature and overall, represents a 'false economy' for the NHS.

The DDA does not support branded generic prescribing for the following reasons:

• It affects competition in the generics market and, with this, long-term market dynamics and prices
• It upsets the calculations that the NHS uses to price the reimbursement of generic drugs and the clawback rate applied to dispensing GPs
• It can result in stock shortages in the short- and long-term
• It can result in increased workload and expense claims
• It can affect medicines adherence as patients may receive an unfamiliar drug presentation.

To understand the false economies of branded generic prescribing, read this article.