BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 400 generic industry leaders, financial experts and political officials gathered today for the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) Annual Meeting to discuss the critical issues facing the generic industry in 2008. With the theme of “Generics: The Right Choice for Better Health,” conference participants discussed the industry opportunities and challenges in this important legislative and election year.
“Voters are going to the polls with access to affordable health care at the top of their minds,” said GPhA President Kathleen Jaeger. “Generics -- and biogenerics -- are the solution to reducing health care costs while increasing access to quality care. With generics saving consumers and the federal government billions of dollars a year, it’s clear that generics are the right choice for better health.”
Today 65% of all U.S. prescriptions dispensed are filled with generics, at costs of 30% to 80% less than brands. This offers substantial savings for consumers, state governments and the health care system. In fact, a 1% increase in generic use saves consumers $4 billion annually.
On Capitol Hill and in state capitals across the country, the generic industry will be working to help consumers receive greater access to affordable medicines by:
GPhA represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of bulk active pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic drug industry. Generics represent 65% of the total prescriptions dispensed in the United States, but only 20.5% of all dollars spent on prescription drugs.
CONTACT: Andrea Hofelich, +1-703-647-2495, or cell, +1-703-944-3137
Web site: http://www.gphaonline.org//
