DATABASE OF VALUE ADDED GENERIC DRUGS

Abstract

To reduce the medical expense, the Japanese government is promoting generic drug use. Recently many “value added” generic drugs have been developed in Japan. These generic drugs are usually developed using innovative pharmaceutical technologies and such products achieve the goal of being more patient friendly by improving delivery system, flavor or ease of use. We have created a “Value added” Generic Drugs database to ensure accurate and appropriate use of these drugs. The purpose of this study was to show the utility of the database in clinical practice. In the present study, patients who had been treating their allergic rhinitis with Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray switched from the brand name to the “value added” generic drugs. We assessed changes in the patient's compliance and the therapeutic efficacy of the “value added” generic drugs. The therapeutic efficacy was maintained after switching to the “value added” drug. We suggested that the “value added” generic drug have an equivalent effect to the brand name, moreover, patient compliance was improved with the use of the “value added” drug. We can choose the generic drugs that more suit patients' needs by considering the “value added” generic drugs, so the “Value added” Generic Drugs database should become a useful source in clinical practice.