ABPI welcomes DoH generic substitution consultation

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has welcomed a Department of Health (DoH) consultation regarding the launch of generic substitution in England.

It said that it is particularly happy with the “essential emphasis” that the DoH has placed on patient safety.

ABPI representative Richard Barker stated that the group welcomed that chance for all stakeholders – such as companies operating in the UK pharmaceutical industry, patient groups and the NHS – to provide comments and input on the matter.

The body stressed that patient safety should always prevail and asserted that prescribers should be able to retain the right to stipulate that a particular branded generic should be administered.

“It is important to ensure that patients’ health and safety is not compromised in the implementation of this new policy,” Mr Barker concluded.

The consultation on the proposals, which are further to the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme 2009, is due to run until March 30th.