Generic Drugs

Sat Aug 11 19:18:32 BRT 2001

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In developing countries and those in financial difficulties there is a 
movement for the production of generic drugs.  The motivation of this is 
that there is not enough money to pay for the enormous quantity of drugs 
required. The problem has been highlighted recently by the HIV pandemic.

Leishmaniasis really fares no better and a recent article by Moore et 
al.,draws attention to the problem and the successful use of cheaper 
generic pentavalent antimonials.

Moore, E., O'Flaherty, D., Heuvelmans, H., Seaman, J., Veeken, H., de Wit, 
S. & Davidson, R. N. Comparison of generic and proprietary sodium 
stibogluconate for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya. Bull 
World Health Organ 79, 388-393.(2001).

The major problem is the evaluation of these alternative generic drugs 
before a governmental purchase. This needs to be addressed by Health 
Ministries and a possible collaboration between countries could alleviate 
this situation. Many countries that  need leishmanial drugs do not have the 
technical resources for the analyses.
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<html>
In developing countries and those in financial difficulties there is a
movement for the production of generic drugs.&nbsp; The motivation of
this is that there is not enough money to pay for the enormous quantity
of drugs required. The problem has been highlighted recently by the HIV
pandemic. 
 
Leishmaniasis really fares no better and a recent article by Moore et
al.,draws attention to the problem and the successful use of cheaper
generic pentavalent antimonials. 
 
Moore, E., O'Flaherty, D., Heuvelmans,
H., Seaman, J., Veeken, H., de Wit, S. &amp; Davidson, R. N. Comparison
of generic and proprietary sodium stibogluconate for the treatment of
visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya. Bull World Health Organ
79, 388-393.(2001). 
 
The major problem is the evaluation of these alternative generic
drugs before a governmental purchase. This needs to be addressed by
Health Ministries and a possible collaboration between countries could
alleviate this situation. Many countries that&nbsp; need leishmanial
drugs do not have the technical resources for the analyses.</html>

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