@article{3182695,
    title = "Pricing of oral generic cancer medicines in 25 European countries;
findings and implications",
    author = "Godman, Brian and Hill, Andrew and Simoens, Professor Steven and Kurdi, and Amanj and Gulbinovic, Jolanta and Martin, Antony P. and Timoney, Angela and and Gotham, Dzintars and Wale, Janet and Bochenek, Tomasz and Rothe, and Celia C. and Hoxha, Iris and Malaj, Admir and Hierlaender, Christian and and Sauermann, Robert and Hamelinck, Wouter and Mitkova, Zornitsa and and Petrova, Guenka and Laius, Ott and Sermet, Catherine and Langer, Irene and and Selke, Gisbert W. and Yfantopoulos, John and Joppi, Roberta and and Jakupi, Arianit and Poplavska, Elita and Greiciute-Kuprijanov, Ieva and and Bonanno, Patricia Vella and Piepenbrink, J. F. (Hans) and de Valk, and Vincent and Hagen, Carolin and Ringerud, Anne Marthe and Plisko, Robert and and Wladysiuk, Magdalene and Markovic-Pekovic, Vanda and Grubisa, Natasa and and Ponorac, Tatjana and Mardare, Ileana and Novakovic, Tanja and and Parker, Mark and Furst, Jurij and Tomek, Dominik and Cortadellas, Merce and Obach and Zara, Corinne and Juhasz-Haverinen, Maria and Skiold, Peter and and McTaggart, Stuart and Haycox, Alan",
    journal = "GABI JOURNAL-GENERICS AND BIOSIMILARS INITIATIVE JOURNAL",
    year = "2019",
    volume = "8",
    number = "2",
    pages = "49-70",
    publisher = "Pro Pharma Communications International",
    doi = "10.5639/gabij.2019.0802.007",
    keywords = "Cancer; Europe; generic drug regulations; generics; health policy;
pricing",
    abstract = "Introduction: There are appreciable concerns among European health
authorities with growing expenditure on cancer medicines and issues of
sustainability. The enhanced use of low-cost generics could help.
Aims: Consequently, there is a need to comprehensively document current
and future arrangements regarding the pricing of generic cancer
medicines across Europe, and whether these are indication specific, as
well as how this translates into actual prices to provide future
direction.
Methodology: Mixed-method approach with qualitative research among
senior health authority personnel and their advisers. Quantitative
research via health authority databases to ascertain current prices for
oral cancer medicines that had lost their patent and the influence of
population size and economics on prices.
Results: Twenty-five European countries participated. The research found
the following issues: (a) variable approaches to the pricing of generic
cancer medicines, which will continue; (b) no concerns with substitution
for oral generic cancer medicines; (c) substantial price reductions
versus originators for generic capecitabine (up to -93.1%), generic
imatinib (up to -97.8%) and generic temozolomide (up to -80.7%).
Prices for oncology medicines are not generally indication specific, and
are not affected by population size although influenced by pricing
approaches. There have also been price increases for some non-patented
cancer medicines following manufacturer changes although now
stabilizing.
Conclusion: The considerable price reductions seen for some generics
means health authorities should further encourage the use of generic
oncology medicines when they become available to fund increased volumes
and new valued cancer medicines. Countries are also starting to address
price increases for generics following changes in the manufacturer."
}