Posted by ed_uk on January 7, 2007, at 16:04:50
In reply to Re: Generics » ed_uk, posted by Quintal on January 7, 2007, at 15:15:08
Hi Quinty
>I think I've read they are allowed to specify a specific brand for anticonvulsants for epileptics because of the danger small differences can cause. The same with lithium.
In the UK, GPs can prescribe any drug by brand (except a few 'banned' brands such as Xanax). In this case, the pharmacy will always dispense the branded product, often as a European import. What GPs can't do is prescribe a generic and specify which generic is dispensed. If the prescription states the generic name, the pharmacy can dispense any generic. Doctors are encouraged to prescribe most drug generically, except lithium and a few others.
The situation in hospital pharmacy is different. NHS hospital doctors cannot prescribe drugs by brand. If they do, the pharmacy will simply substitute a generic.
>It amuses me to hear of people being so fussy over brand names - my lamotrigine tablets were often an amalgam of obscure foreign brands. I sometimes got a supply of Spanish children's orodispersible tablets and they were sometimes mixed in with a few brand name Lamictal tabs to fill the same prescription.
The Spanish lamotrigine was probably Crisomet. I've seen that one a few times. European imports are regulated and licensed by the MHRA. All imports are branded products produced by international pharmaceutical companies, and are equivalent to the 'English' brands. Imported brands will always be sourced within the EU, generally from Spain, Greece or Italy - where drugs are less expensive due to government-enforced price controls. The original packaging is 'overlabelled' in English, and an English patient information leaflet is inserted.
Regards
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:719885
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070107/msgs/720215.html