ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a chronic disease and is a major risk factor for chronic heart disease, stroke, coronary heart disease, and its complications include heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, renal impairment, retinal hemorrhage, and visual impairment. Antihypertensive drugs are important to avoid such complications but compliance of patient is needed which may depend on the cost of therapy. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a branded generic with an economical generic. Materials and Methods: Out of 110 patients, 105 patients (53 patients in group A and 52 patients in group B) completed the study with follow-up over a period of 6 months. Group A patients received generic Telmisartan 40 mg in the beginning (0th day) which was continued for 12 weeks, cross-over was done with branded generic Telmisartan (Telma 40) which was given for further 3 months. Group B patients received the branded generic followed by generic Telmisartan in that sequence for 3 months each. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded at the baseline visit and at the end of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. The adverse events were assessed throughout the study period. Results: Intra-group comparison show significant reduction in systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) in each groups (P < 0.001) but when we compare the reduction of SBP and DBP in between the two groups the difference was not significant. Common adverse events were headache, dizziness, light-headedness, and vertigo. Conclusion: There was a huge difference between the prices of branded generic and unbranded generic. This study showed that both branded generic and unbranded generic are comparable in terms of efficacy, safety except the cost of therapy. Thus substitution of a Pharmacological generic (unbranded generic) drug could save lot of expenses.
ABSTRACT
Background: Generic substitution is preferred to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient adherence. The review of literature showed that physicians all around the world were not comfortable in prescribing generic medications due to the lack of evidence on their safety and efficacy.Methods: A prospective study was conducted over a period of one year in Pune. The patients were categorized on their age and were assessed for the clinical effectiveness data (no. of breakthrough seizures and seizure free days) and safety data (no. of ADR episodes). The mean number of patients controlled and the frequency of adverse events at the 3rd and 6th month were calculated.Results: Authors assessed 150 newly diagnosed pediatric epileptic patients who received anti-epileptic drug monotherapy for at least 6 months, out of which 46 (30.66%) received Oxcarbazepine and 104 (69.33%) received Sodium Valproate. At the end of 3 months of therapy 140 (93.33%) patients were seizure free and 145 (96.66%) patients were seizure free at the end of 6 months. Adverse effects were observed in 14 (30.43) patients on oxcarbazepine and 26 (25%) patients on sodium valproate. The most common adverse effect was weight gain in 34 (22.66%) patients with both the AEDs.Conclusions: Seizure control was achieved in majority of the patients. In addition to the seizure control, the frequency of adverse effects was few and tolerable by the patients when prescribed with low cost branded generics.