Journal of Bioequivalence & Bioavailability

Abstract

Generic Statins in Cardiovascular Medicine

Andrea Feher, Gabriella Pusch, Gabor Harang, Hedvig Komaromy, Laszlo Szapary and Gergely Feher

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in Europe. Several large, population-based trials and their meta-analyses have shown the beneficial effects of statins in reducing mortality and cardiovascular morbidity both primary and secondary prevention. Use of generic drugs, which are bioequivalent to brand-name drugs, can help contain prescription drug spending. However, there is concern among patients and physicians that brandname drugs may be clinically superior to generic drugs. The aim of our study was to review the efficacy of generic statin therapy in both primary and secondary vascular prevention.

Treatment with generic statins seem to be safe and quite effective. Lipid parameters should be monitorized, there are class effects in the lipid lowering potency of different drugs. Based on comparism trials, worsening lipid profile was associated with unfavourable outcome. From an economic point of view, society could gain a lot from substituting statin therapy, especially from therapeutic substitution. Moreover, prescribing generic or preferred medications within a therapeutic class seemed to be associated with improvements in adherence to therapy.