Choose quality, bio-equivalent generic drugs, patients urged

MANILA, Philippines - With the wide range of generic medicine currently available in the market, patients should work with their doctor in choosing only high-quality generics that are proven as effective and safe as branded innovator drugs, according to a noted cardiologist.

These generic drugs must be able to present bio-equivalence studies vis-a-vis the originator drugs.

“Doctors should only prescribe quality, bio-equivalent generic medicine from reputable drug manufacturers. Patients should be more discerning in their choice of generics,” said Dr. Robertito Mariño, consultant cardiologist at Medical Center Manila.

Mariño was the guest speaker during the induction of the 2009 officers and scientific meeting of the Makati Medical Society held recently at the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati City.

He presented a review of data from large clinical trials on clopidogrel, an oral anti-platelet agent that stops blood clot formation in the arteries of high-risk patients, thus preventing heart attacks and strokes.

“We are honored to be the partner of Makati Medical Society in achieving our common goal of providing high-quality, bio-equivalent yet highly affordable medicine to the Filipino people,” said Boom Dizon, country manager of Zydus Philippines Inc.

 Zydus Philippines is a subsidiary of Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd., the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in India and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of generic medicine.

Zydus Cadila is the first Indian and only the third pharmaceutical company from outside the Philippines to receive a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification from the Bureau of Foods and Drugs (BFAD).

GMP consists of standard guidelines set by the US Food and Drug Administration to ensure that drug development is carried out in safe and high-quality processes. Zydus Cadila’s broad range of quality generics is available in 45 countries, including the US.

Zydus Cadila already has more than 10 BFAD-registered products in the Philippines and another five are in the pipeline.

Zydus Philippines has forged marketing tie-ups with several leading companies in the country to promote its global generic brands, which include antibiotics and medicine for cardiovascular diseases, pain management, and gastrointestinal disorders.

“All Zydus Cadila manufacturing plants are FDA-approved and produce high-quality generic medicines that are bioequivalent to the originator/innovator drugs,” said Dizon.

“But quality doesn’t mean expensive — Zydus branded generic medicine are 40 to 60 percent more affordable than branded medicine. For example, our brand of clopidogrel (Noklot) costs only P23.50 per tablet, making it the most affordable bio-equivalent branded-generic clopidogrel in the market today. At Zydus, quality is affordable,” Dizon added.