Pro generics evaluates federal election

01.10.2009 17:47

The industry association Pro Generika sees the change in coalition as an opportunity to realign pharmaceutical policy

“In the grand coalition we had to experience and suffer a health policy that was essentially hostile to generics and one-sidedly cash-oriented,” said Pro Generika managing director Peter Schmidt.

The interaction of numerous inconsistent central directive control mechanisms on the one hand and ruinous drug discount agreements on the other hand have put the generics industry in a vice that is straining the industry beyond the limits of its performance. The association expects the new federal government to adopt a policy that will implement its commitment to a free and social market economy in the supply of pharmaceuticals by putting an end to “competition that has degenerated into a pure price war” in the generics market. 

Pro Generika advocated fair and constructive competition in the generics market. However, unlike before, this competition must be about both quality criteria and price. Product differentiation that improves the quality of care and thus benefits patients and health insurance companies alike must be worthwhile again. 

This goal can only be achieved if the drug discount agreements are abolished. Pro Generika has developed its own concept for the further development of drug supply, which relies on competition between manufacturers and ensures high long-term savings for health insurance companies.

“Due to their low prices, generic drugs not only relieve the burden on health insurance companies, but also on the wallets of those insured. They are indispensable as the backbone of the pharmaceutical supply as a whole. Only a strong generics industry that offers drugs that are difficult and complex to produce at a reasonable price immediately after the patent expires can provide the resources necessary to ensure that those insured by statutory health insurance continue to be supplied with all the necessary drugs in the future and can fully participate in medical and pharmaceutical progress “said Schmidt. “We have provided a blueprint for this. Now it’s up to the new federal government to implement it.”