IAI Ensures Patent And Generic Medicines Have Equal Quality

Chairman of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) Noffendri Roestam when giving a press statement at the Pharmacist Xperience event in Jakarta, Saturday. (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Many look down on generic drugs and consider their quality well below patent drugs.

Chairman of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI), Noffendri Roestam, explained that there is no significant difference between patent and generic drugs, and they even have equal quality.

Noffendri explained that patent drugs are the first drugs found by someone and are usually registered with their valid patents for 15-20 years.

"The 10 - 20 years' was given, because until finally the drug can be marketed and used, it takes funds that are not small, hundreds of trillions. That's why he was given patents for several years, only he was allowed to produce it," said Noffendri when giving a press statement at the Pharmacist Xperience event in Jakarta, reported ANTARA, Saturday, August 24.

After the patent expires, other pharmaceutical companies can produce the same drug by obtaining a license from a patent holder. The drug produced after the patent expires is known as a generic drug.

Generic drugs can be in the form of branded drugs, where some companies get licenses to produce drugs with different names.

Although brand names may vary, the content of generic drugs must be in accordance with the specifications of the patent drug.

For example, if patent drugs such as Panadol have a dose of 500 milligrams, a generic drug with different names should also have the same dose.

Although generic drugs are often considered less effective, in general, doses and active content remain the same as patent drugs, especially since generic drugs have received permission from BPOM.

"Once again, when he got permission from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), he had to meet the criteria, such as patent drugs registered at BPOM," he said.

Patients who feel that a generic drug is ineffective are advised to consult further with a doctor to find an appropriate alternative.