Medaxes

Biosimilar medicines

Biosimilar medicines contain the same active substance and have the same therapeutic effect as branded medicines. Their price is at least 35,8% to minimum 43,54% lower than the original price of the branded medicine. Biosimilars are essential to making expensive biologic treatments available as widely as possible.

Generic medicines

Generic medicines contain the same active substance and have the same therapeutic effect as branded medicines. Their price is at least between 54% and 65% lower than the original price of the branded medicine. Generic medicines allow more patients to be better treated.

Off-patent brands

Off-patent brand medicines are originator medicines whose patent has expired. To be considered cheap, their price must have decreased to a level generally comparable to that of most generic or biosimilar medicines. Cheap branded medicines help to keep healthcare accessible.

Self-care products

Self-care products are products that are freely available at pharmacies, such as self-care medicines, self-care medical devices and food supplements. Patients can use them upon their own initiative, to preserve their health. Their ‘good use’ substantially reduces the social costs of being ill.

News

03/03

Essential medicines must be included in EU industrial policy plans

Off patent medicines account for 70% of those dispensed in Europe for the most prominent diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular care, infectious diseases, and others. Between 70-90% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and emergency medicines are off patent. Our sector currently has over 400 manufacturing sites in Europe. Therefore, the off patent medicines industry sector must be included in the 'Important Project of Common European Interest' (IPCEI) on Health.

Please find here the press release of our European association, Medicines for Europe.

11/02