Surprising survey result: “Prefer expensive drugs to cheap generics”
The results of the “Gesundheitsmonitor” survey published in the Sonntagszeitung are surprising for several reasons: Generics are subject to exactly the same quality specifications as originals. The Swiss regulatory authority ensures that the safety and efficacy of generics and biosimilars are continuously maintained, just as they are for originals. Once they enter the market, the galenics of the original drugs are in most cases no longer developed further. Generics, on the other hand, are in some cases further developed drugs (lactose-free, breakage grooves for easy dose adjustment, smaller tablets and in many cases film-coated tablets for easier intake, etc.). In addition, generics and biosimilars could save about 600 million Swiss francs in 2022 alone, without any sacrifice in quality. If generics and biosimilars were used even more widely, another 300 million Swiss francs could be saved – with a direct positive effect on health insurance premiums.
