Creating Sustainable European Health-Care Systems through the Increased Use of Generic Medicines: A Policy Analysis

Abstract

The increased use of generic medicines can play a role in creating sustainable health-care systems in Europe. However, differences in generic medicine market shares between countries indicate that Europe is not maximizing its full potential with respect to generic medicines. This article aims to identify the conditions for a successful generic medicines policy by reviewing the policy tools that European countries have used to strengthen their generic medicines market. A search of the international peer-reviewed literature and relevant documents was carried out. The findings indicated that a country needs to introduce a key policy driver, that is a balanced policy based on proven methods, in order to encourage the use of generic medicines. However, the type of driver may vary between countries and needs to be adapted to local demographic, cultural, economic and institutional constraints. Additional supply-side and demand-side measures are likely to be needed for the key policy driver to be effective. Furthermore, a country needs to implement a long-term generic medicines policy which ensures that supply-side and demand-side measures reinforce each other and are part of a coherent policy.