The number of generics in Korea is more than 10 times higher

in foreign countries such as the United States and France

The activation of generic substitution is necessary

It is pointed out that the number of generic drugs with the same active ingredient licensed in Korea is “more than 10 times higher” in foreign countries such as the United States and France.

 

This is the result of comparing the top five items with the largest number of domestic marketing generics with overseas cases.

 

In particular, it was added that generic drugs, which are more expensive than original drugs, are being prepared in Korea, and that the activation of generic substitution was necessary.

 

On the 13th, nonpartisan representative Lee Yong-ho analyzed the top five products with the highest number of generic drugs in Korea and revealed as such.

 

The top five items as of September this year were Rosuvastatin, Clopidogrel, Mosapride, Cefaclor, and Fluconazole.

 

In Korea, the number of domestic generics for a drug reached 136 to 143.

 

There were no generic or only 2 to 18 generics in the United States and France.

 

Among these items, the lowest price for Fluconazole is from ₩395, the highest price is ₩1,784, and the original’s price is ₩1,726.

 

The price difference between generics is ₩1,389, and the price of the generic is higher than that of the original.

 

In addition, Rosuvastatin, Clopidogrel, and Mosapride, excluding Cefaclor, were also more expensive than the original drug price.

 

He said, "The number of domestic generics is abnormally higher than that of other countries, and even though it is the exact same drug with proven bioequivalence, there is a large price difference between generics." He pointed out that there are too many, causing inconvenience in the people's prescription, dispensing, and drug selection due to information asymmetry.

 

He said, "There are dozens of drugs that are cheaper than the drugs that the people are taking.

 

Few people will know the facts whether or not the drugs they are taking are original, whether they are generics that are more expensive than the original, and whether they are the most expensive generics of the exact same generics with the same ingredients.” In addition, he said, "If bioequivalence testing and securing public confidence in the quality of generic drugs are preceded, drugs entrusted by the same manufacturing facility are exactly the same.

 

As for the rights that the people need to know, generic substitution should be activated as much as for bioequivalence-approved items."