title: Safety and efficacy of generic drugs with respect to brand formulation.
abstract: Generic drugs are equivalent to the brand formulation if they have the same active substance, the same pharmaceutical form and the same therapeutic indications and a similar bioequivalence respect to the reference medicinal product. The use of generic drugs is indicated from many countries in order to reduce medication price. However some points, such as bioequivalence and the role of excipients, may be clarified regarding the clinical efficacy and safety during the switch from brand to generic formulations. In conclusion, the use of generic drugs could be related with an increased days of disease (time to relapse) or might lead to a therapeutic failure; on the other hand, a higher drug concentration might expose patients to an increased risk of dose-dependent side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Regional Center on drug information, Mater Domini University Hospital, Italy and Chair of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Regional Center on drug information, Mater Domini University Hospital, Italy and Chair of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palleria
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, ASP Cosenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Vuono
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Regional Center on drug information, Mater Domini University Hospital, Italy and Chair of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mumoli
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, ASP Cosenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vasapollo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacovigilance, ASP Cosenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Brunella
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Piro
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Regional Center on drug information, Mater Domini University Hospital, Italy and Chair of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Russo
keywords: Antibiotics; bioequivalence; brand; clinical efficacy; generic; safety