With generics, health insurance companies could have saved 1.5 billion euros more

17.08.2012 15:45

The statutory health insurance (GKV) pharmaceutical expenditure could have been significantly lower in the first half of 2012 if generics had been used wherever possible. This emerges from the current figures from the independent market research institute IMS HEALTH.

The health insurance companies have already saved 6.4 billion euros from generics from January to June of this year; However, the market researchers also calculated an unused savings potential of 1.5 billion euros. This could have been achieved if, instead of more expensive, patent-free first-party products, generics with the same active ingredients but significantly cheaper had been prescribed.

Pro Generika appeals to the GKV to work towards the even greater use of generics. “While health insurance companies still advertise numerous generic drugs as part of discount contracts even if they do not even cost one euro ex works, savings reserves that are many times higher are not exploited in the patent-free drug market. It is much smarter and more sustainable to save on generic drugs instead of on generic drugs,” explained Pro Generika managing director Bork Bretthauer.