Drug Makers Fight New Zealand’s Forced Switch To Indian Generics
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Global drug makers are fighting a move by New Zealand to remove certain branded drugs from its drug formulary when generics become available. The country's Pharmaceutical Management Agency recently canceled coverage for AstraZeneca's Losec (omeprazole) for treating acid indigestion and reflux in favor of a generic from India's Dr. Reddy's Laboratories. Pharmac said the switch would save New Zealand $16.7 million over the next five years. AstraZeneca said the decision forces more than half a million New Zealanders to accept the generic or nothing, except for "a government-funded generic alternative produced in India." (Click here for more