Posted by Dr. Bob on January 20, 2004, at 0:36:42
In reply to Re: Generic Klonopin, posted by scott-d-o on January 19, 2004, at 2:42:04
> I use the Mylan generic myself; it seems that is all any pharmacy has around here, and it is dirt cheap. Strange, I haven't even heard of these other generic brands you are referring to, however, here is a link to the FDA review sheet with bioequivalency tests showing the Mylan generic to be within 4% of the reference (brand name) product under extensive in-vivo and in-vitro testing.
>
> http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/anda/98/75150_Clonazepam.pdf
>
> Is a 4% difference worth the extra cost? I suppose that is up to the patient to decide. However, the argument that buying the brand name version of a drug, particularly one as old as Klonopin, will result in more money being spent on R&D, is really a subject that cannot be reasonably discussed since you have no clue where the cash is going. You could just be buying the CEO a new private jet, while you ride around in a Kia or Hyundai cause you just had to have the brand name Klonopin ;-)
>
> In addition, if Roche is still making adequate profit from Klonopin sales, you would think they would have even less of an incentive to spend the money developing the next wonder drug. Would you rather sit back and watch your wallet grow larger off a drug you developed decades ago, or invest it all in R&D which carries an enormous risk that you may never get a return on your investment? Hmm, that's a tough one (sarcasm)..
>
> The way the whole system is set up here in the states is why you don't see many new and useful medications being developed. Why spend all the time and effort on R&D and obtaining FDA approval for a great medication like Klonopin, when the SSRI's have proven that **how you market the drug is all that really matters when it comes to making a profit**, which is, of course, the ultimate goal of any firm; to maximize profit and make both themselves and their shareholders extremely wealthy individuals, *not* to help people in need (sorry, I know my pessimistic viewpoints are most likely making readers on this board even more depressed.)
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> Unfortunatly, in many cases this even results in companies modifying their existing compounds only slightly (think about the new Klonopin wafers) so they can reobtain a patent, and spending the money (which should probably be spent on R&D for new medications) on promoting this new product as something that is "*new* and *better*" thru marketing gimmicks which is ate right up by pdocs and patients alike.
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> I'm sure I come off as an extremely cynical person to most whom are reading this; however, this is just the way I see things, I feel I have become extremely disillusioned to the current state of the pharmaceutical industry and I just can't see how anyone could possibly see it any differently.
>
> scott
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:303039
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040109/msgs/303039.html