EDITORIAL: Debate use of original, generic drugs soberly

Debate on whether doctors should prescribe generic or original drugs needs sobriety for it has the potential of degenerating into a shouting match between insurers and medics if not properly handled.

Some insurers have directed that their clients receive only generic drugs once they seek medical attention from hospital, but doctors are resisting this order stressing that it is their right to decide what type of medicines to prescribe.

The crux of the matter is that generic drugs are cheaper than the originals precisely because the former benefited from, but did not undergo, the long and expensive process that the latter did. The originals have to undergo research, preclinical and clinical trials before they are allowed to be prescribed by doctors in hospitals.

Once the intellectual rights period is over, other companies can then produce the same drugs as generics without undergoing the expensive original process and therefore their products become automatically cheaper.

Insurers have noted that generics have generally the same pharmacological qualities as the originals and therefore do not see the need for the doctors of the clients they sponsor to prefer the more expensive medicine.

Doctors argue that they should retain the freedom to prescribe drugs as they find fit, which is an argument nobody will question. Again, experts have also pointed out that there is a possibility that certain drugs do not have their generic equivalent available in Kenya currently or at certain locations in the country and it is only logical to prescribe the originals. It is also a valid argument.

The challenge, however, is to tackle the overriding issue of cost. Many patients cannot afford the original medicine and would likely have no issue with generics. At the same time, doctors must also take account of the fact that poverty in Kenya is prevalent and exhaustion of their health insurance budget forces patients to fork out cash to pay for every hospital visit.

Suspicion of collusion between some doctors and drug manufacturing companies has long been suspected. Doctors can avoid this by ensuring that they prescribe generics whenever available.