2006 will definitely be remembered for the sheer number of big-name generics that have come out or will soon do so.
We’ve already seen some heavyweights go generic this year, including Flonase (fluticasone propionate nasal spray) and Pravachol (pravastatin sodium tablets).
This week is no different. Yesterday, the FDA approved first-time generic equivalents for Zocor (simvastatin, made by Merck) in five strengths. Teva Pharmaceuticals will market the 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg tablets, and the 80mg tablets will be sold by Ranbaxy. Simvastatin joins lovastatin (Mevacor) and pravastatin (Pravachol) in the growing list of generic cholesterol medicatons.
Other generics approved this week include Proscar (finasteride 5mg) for BPH, and Propeciea (finasteride 1mg) for male hair loss. (Remember, women of child-bearing age should not injest or even handle these medications, since they lead to birth defects.)
Finally, Lamictal chewable tablets (lamotigrine), used for treating epilectic seizures, was approved in 5mg and 25mg strengths.
All of the generics listed above are AB rated, which means in most jurisdictions that they can be substituted without a doctor’s approval, unless the doctor writes “dispense as written” or “brand medically necessary” on the prescription. Be sure to inform patients and doctors about the cost-saving benefits of these and all other generic medications.
Read the full article. (Requires free membership.)
I am trieng to find out if there are certain medications that women in the pharmacy should or can’t handle due to harm. And if there are what are a few of them
The only ones I’m sure about are drugs like Propecia/Proscar (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride), which are drugs for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate) and male hormones, such as androgen and testosterone products, (though these are sometimes used to treat breast cancer).
These drugs should not be handled by women who are of child bearing age due to the risk of a specific birth defect.