Availability of Different Branded Generic Vildagliptin after Off-patenting: An Observation from Eastern India
Shambo S Samajdar1, 2, Shatavisa Mukherjee3, Sougata Sarkar2, Sumalya Sen4, Santanu K Tripathi5, Shashank R Joshi6
Affiliation:
  1. Consultant, Diabetes and Allergy-Asthma Therapeutics Specialty Clinic, Kolkata
  2. Clinical Pharmacologist, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata
  3. PhD Scholar, Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Gouri Devi Medical College and Hospital, Durgapur
  5. Clinical Pharmacologist and Principal, Netaji Subhas Medical College and Hospital, Patna
  6. Senior Endocrinologist, Joshi Clinic, Mumbai
Branded generics are pharmaceutical products that are marketed under a brand name but contain the same active ingredients as their innovator counterparts. These generics offer comparable therapeutic benefits at a lower cost, making them essential in healthcare systems worldwide.[1] Vildagliptin, a widely prescribed antidiabetic medication, is available in various branded generic forms. However, limited research has been conducted to assess the availability of these branded generics, particularly in a real-world setting.
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to evaluate the availability of branded generics of Vildagliptin over 3-month period post 6 months of off-patenting of Vildagliptin. Additionally, we investigated the switching patterns among patients prescribed branded generic Vildagliptin, shedding light on potential challenges and implications for patient care. The study included data from 967 prescriptions for branded generic Vildagliptin obtained from various pharmacies in a specified region. Demographic information, including gender and age, was recorded for each patient.The number of pharmacy visits per prescription was determined, providing insights into the availability of branded generic Vildagliptin. Furthermore, switching trends among innovator brand and branded generics were observed and the data was statistically analysed
Among the 967 prescriptions analysed, 56% were for male patients and 44% for female patients. The age distribution revealed that 34% of patients were below 50 years, 28% were aged 51-60 years, 23% were aged 61-70 years, and 15% were above 70 years. A total of 56 different branded generic names were prescribed for Vildagliptin during the study period. This wide range of branded generics reflects the diversity in the market and the potential options available to patients. Each prescription for branded generic Vildagliptin resulted in an average of 2.29 pharmacy visits (Range: 1-14). This finding indicates that patients may need to visit multiple pharmacies to obtain the prescribed medication, highlighting potential challenges in ensuring consistent availability of specific branded generics. Reflecting on switching patterns, due to the unavailability of the prescribed branded generic vildagliptin at the pharmacy store, 28% patients switched to the innovator brand, 41% switched to other branded generics, while only 31% received the prescribed branded generic. These switching patterns suggest a significant proportion of patients who deviate from the initially prescribed branded generic, potentially impacting treatment adherence and outcomes.
This study provides valuable insights into the availability of branded generics of Vildagliptin. The findings indicate a diverse range of branded generics and highlight challenges in ensuring consistent availability. There exists a definite need in generic prescribing but prescribing branded generics increases the chances of unavailability due to inability of storing multiple brands in a pharmacy store. The observed switching patterns suggest a need for further investigation into the factors influencing brand switching behaviours. Optimizing the availability and patient adherence to branded generics can significantly contribute to cost-effective diabetes management2. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying factors driving these switching patterns and their potential impact on patient outcomes. Strategies aimed at improving availability and promoting appropriate use of branded generics can enhance the overall quality of care for patients requiring vildagliptin treatment.
References:
Lavtepatil S, Ghosh S. Improving access to medicines by popularising generics: a study of ’India’s People’s Medicine’ scheme in two districts of Maharashtra. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 May 13;22(1):643. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08022-1. PMID: 35562697; PMCID: PMC9107149.
Samajdar SS, Mukherjee S, Sarkar S, et al. Clinical Pharmacological Consultation in Optimizing Diabetic Patient Care: A Cross-sectional Observational Study. Bengal Physician Journal 2023;10(1):6–8.