The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7180 p15-21
5/12 January 2002

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  Community pharmacy
  Remuneration
  The Profession
  Medication errors
  Patent expiries
  Drug misuse
  Pharmacy abroad
  CPD
  Isotretinoin
  Tritace
  Specialisation
  Research assessment
  Statutory Committee
  Retention fee
  The Society
  The Journal
  Christmas miscellany

Letters to the Editor

Patent expiries

How should we manage changes?

From Mr M. G. Hussain, MRPharmS

I am writing with reference to your recent article "Is patent extension good for patients?" (PJ, 1 December 2001, p775). This was an excellent article which explained the complicated area of medical patents. I am currently in the process of producing a newsletter for GPs and pharmacists in the Leeds Health Authority area and would appreciate any input. In particular, I was looking at all the new formulations launched recently or likely to be marketed in the near future (Cardura XL, Diamicron XL, Xyzal, Neoclarityn, isomers of citalopram) and future patent expiries (Zocor) and how the practicalities can be managed in primary care. Should we change the patients to an alternative and then attempt to utilise any generics if and when they become available, or should we lock ourselves into a manufacturer's new product and in so doing remove the chance of future prescribing savings?

There has also been great concern expressed by the health care community regarding the marketing of certain products, eg, Diamicron XL, a long-acting hypoglycaemic agent, on the grounds of patient safety, and the potential consequences of a dispensing error — not to mention the cost implications.

I look forward to reading the thoughts of fellow pharmacists, in particular on the practical issues of changing patients to new formulations and how best to manage this change in the best interests of both the NHS and patients.

Mohammed Hussain
Pharmaceutical Adviser
Leeds Health Authority

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