|
 |
| home > epc > winter 2002 > generic substitution - the proposed procedure for the prescription of pharmaceuticals in finland |
|
|
 PUBLICATIONS |
European Pharmaceutical Contractor
|
s a result of the discussions surrounding the pricing of pharmaceuticals in connection with the budget year 2003, the Finnish Government has suggested a procedure for generic substitution which, if approved by Parliament, will mean that pharmacists, as a rule shall exchange the pharmaceutical prescribed for the cheapest bioequivalent alternative. The purpose of the suggested procedure is to curtail the rising costs of pharmaceutical products by supporting the use of cheaper generic pharmaceuticals.
The Finnish pharmaceuticals market has traditionally been one where original pharmaceutical products have a strong foothold and the market for generic products, when introduced, has not taken as significant a portion of the market as in several other European countries. This situation may change through the new initiative.
The Government proposal regarding legislation governing generic substitution was presented to the Parliament of Finland on 27th September 2002. Provided that the Parliament approves the proposal, as of January 2003 Finland will follow the example of several other Nordic and European countries by implementing a procedure for generic substitution. The core of the proposal is that the pharmacies would be required to substitute the pharmaceutical prescribed by a medical doctor with an interchangeable and generally available product with the lowest price or a price only slightly differing from the lowest price.
|
Read full article >>
|
|
 |
|
| Rate this article |
You must be a member of the site to make a vote. |
|
Average rating: |
0 |
| | | | | |
|
|
By Rainer Hilli, Partner and Tom Groop, Associate of Roschier Holmberg Attorneys Ltd
Rainer Hilli is a Partner of Roschier Holmberg Attorneys Ltd and heads the Technology, Media and Competition practice group, maintaining a high specialisation in matters relating to copyright, patents, trademark designs, computer law, telecommunications law, media law, market law and life sciences.
Mr Hilli is a member of the firm's Pharmaceuticals and Biosciences specialist team, and regularly advises pharmaceutical, biotechnology, biocomputing and other life sciences companies to manage exploitation of intellectual property rights. His expertise includes R&D, funding, licensing and regulatory matters, as well as national and cross-border patent and trademark litigation.
Tom Groop is an Associate of Roschier Holmberg Attorneys Ltd and a member of the Technology, Media and Competition practice group, as well as the firm's 16-strong Pharmaceuticals and Biosciences specialist team.
He specialises in life sciences and intellectual property rights and is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious work, including pharmaceutical and patent litigation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Industry Events |
 |
4th Annual Patient Recruitment and Retention in Clinical Trials
13-15 October 2008, Amsterdam
Patient recruitment
is now consuming thirty percent of clinical trial time - more time than any
other clinical trial activity - and almost half of all trial delays result from
patient recruitment problems.
As the
recruiting culture becomes more sophisticated and the forces affecting patient
enrollment grow more numerous and complex, pharmaceutical companies are
striving to discover new strategies to facilitate enrollment in clinical
trials.
With
increasing industry pressure to develop, test and market greater numbers of new
drugs faster, pharmaceutical companies need to perform clinical trials as
quickly as possible. Inefficient patient recruitment processes is a formidable
barrier to pharmaceutical companies' success in launching new products.
Improving the patient recruitment process is imperative to avoid wasted
investments and eliminate costly delays in bringing new drugs to market --
today and even more so in the not-so-distant future. Improved patient
recruitment presents one of the largest opportunities for pharmaceutical
companies to eliminate delays in clinical trials, thereby making it possible to
reduce time to market. With patent time limits and large overheads
meaning that any delays in the development timeline can be disastrous, a good
understanding of how to successfully recruit patients for trials is vital for
any company looking to succeed.
More info >> |
|
 |
News and Press Releases |
 |
Azopharma Announces Plans to Implement XcelodoseTM Technology in the Production of Early Stage Clinical Trial Materials
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Azopharma Product Development Group, Inc. (“Azopharma”) announced today plans to implement Xcelodose technology at its formulations development facility, ApiCross Drug Delivery Technologies. Xcelodose technology is a powder micro-dosing system developed by Meridica. This technology offers a unique powder dispensing system for small-scale capsule filling and ultimately assists in conserving valuable research material as well as reducing various Preformulation activities.
More info >> |
|
 |
