The market entry of 24 new generics during 2011 is expected to boost low-cost prescribing in 2012.
IHS Global Insight Perspective | |
Significance | Savings of about EUR66 million are expected following the launch of 24 new generic medicines during 2011. |
Implications | According to PharmaNet, low-cost prescribing attained a rate of 49.7% in February 2011 in Belgium. |
Outlook | Low-cost prescribing could be boosted during 2012 as the result of new generic entry on the Belgian market. |
The market entry of nine new generics is expected to unlock annual savings of about EUR17 million (USD23.4 million) in Belgium as of October 2011, according to the Belgian generic association FeBelGen. From October, nine new molecules—clindamycin, ebastine, exemestane, leflunomide, letrozole, levofloxacin tablets, levofloxacin injection, remifentanil and repaglinide—are available in generic versions. Their inclusion in Belgium's internal reference-pricing system will create new clusters. Among the drugs that have fallen off patent and face generic competition as of October, breast cancer treatment letrozole is expected to trigger the highest savings.
The new savings will add to savings generated by the 15 new generics that have entered the Belgian market since January. Overall, savings of about EUR66 million are foreseen by FeBelGen thanks to generics during 2011.
Savings Expected with Creation of New Reference-Pricing Groups in Belgium, 2011 | ||||
Active Ingredient | Brand Name | Sector | Annual Savings (EUR Mil.) | Market Entry |
Nebivolol | Nobiten | Retail | 4.700 | January 2011 |
Imipenem + cilastatin | Tienam injection | Hospital | 0.005 | January 2011 |
Clindamycin | Dalacin injection | Retail + hospital | 1.400 | January 2011 |
Temozolomide | Temodal | Hospital | 2.800 | January 2011 |
Levodopa + benserazide | Prolopa | Retail | 1.100 | January 2011 |
Tacrolimus | Prograft | Retail + hospital | 3.800 | April 2011 |
Carboplatin | Carbosin | Hospital | 2.200 | April 2011 |
Docetaxel | Taxotere | Hospital | 9.100 | April 2011 |
Mycophenolate | Cellcept | Retail + hospital | 3.600 | April 2011 |
Pramipexole | Mirapexin | Public pharmacy | 3.000 | April 2011 |
Risedronate | Actonel | Public pharmacy | 4.600 | April 2011 |
Cefepime | Maxipime | Hospital | 0.960 | July 2011 |
Meropenem | Meronem | Hospital | 4.100 | July 2011 |
Anastrozole | Arimidex | Hospital + retail | 4.200 | July 2011 |
Methylprednisolone | Medrol | Hospital + retail | 3.400 | July 2011 |
Clindamycin | Dalacin C | Retail | 1.300 | October 2011 |
Ebastine | Estivan | Retail | 0.400 | October 2011 |
Exemestane | Aromasin | Retail | 2.300 | October 2011 |
Leflunomide | Arava | Retail | 1.500 | October 2011 |
Letrozole | Femara | Retail | 4.300 | October 2011 |
Levofloxacin tablets | Tavanic | Retail | 2.100 | October 2011 |
Levofloxacin injection | Tavanic | Hospital | 0.980 | October 2011 |
Remifentanil | Ultiva | Hospital | 2.300 | October 2011 |
Repaglinide | Novonorm | Retail | 2.300 | October 2011 |
Total | 66.000 | |||
Source: FeBelGen, 2011 | ||||
Overall, a total of 24 new generics have entered the Belgian market during 2011.The objective for low-cost prescribing was set at 50% for 2011, and this had almost been attained as early as February, with a low-cost prescribing rate of 45.7%, according to data collected by PharmaNet.
Outlook and Implications
The series of new generic entries is expected to boost low-cost prescribing during 2012 in Belgium. The country is encouraging low-cost prescribing, but more efforts on the part of prescribers could boost the uptake of cheap drugs in the country. In a survey conducted in 2010 by FeBelGen, a total of 90% of general practitioners (GPs) questioned estimated that prescribing low-cost medicines (generics, copycat and off-patent originators) when possible is a good strategy to keep spending under control. Overall, GPs estimated that a substitution rate of 58% could be achievable in the country. The prescribing of generics and off-patent drugs seems to be relatively well accepted by GPs as a means to reduce spending in Belgium, but remains generally below the 50% range.
With the market entry of more than 50 new generic molecules over the 2011–13 period, it is estimated that savings of EUR150–200 million per year could be achieved by the statutory health insurer INAMI/RIZIV. Since April, Belgium has imposed a price cap set at a minimum of 44.1% below the originator price for generics. Prior to that, generics prices were set at 41% below that of the originator. Price cuts combined with a higher cheap drug penetration will increase savings triggered by the public health insurer in future.