Generic Medicines

An alternative drug, or in its common name, generic drug, is a medication containing an active substance equivalent to the original drug. The price of an alternative drug will, mostly, be lower than the original drug, however, the effectiveness will be identical.

We have gathered some information on the differences between alternative and original drugs and answers to frequently asked questions.

Is the HMO required to give me a prescription for an original drug?

Many people ask whether they are entitled to receive a prescription for an original rather than a generic drug. The answer is that the HMO is not obligated to supply specific drugs or drugs manufactured by a specific supplier, but rather the generic drug; namely, a drug containing an equivalent active substance to the one in the health basket.

However, if you have already started therapy, and the manufacturing of the original drug has been stopped, you may require the HMO to continue supplying the original drug to maintain continuity of care.

What is the difference between generic and original drugs?

The goal of generic drugs is to enhance competition in the drug market and offer the patients drugs at lower prices. To encourage drug development, an original drug gets patent protection for a certain period, after which competitive drug companies are entitled to produce alternative drugs.

• A cheaper generic drug: Since the development process of a generic drug is shorter and less expensive compared to the development of an original drug, it is possible to reduce prices substantially
• Generic drugs are inspected by the health authorities in countries where the drugs are manufactured. Marketing approval of generic drugs is provided after inspecting the differences between the generic and the original drug, and approval of all the required tests

In Israel, supervision of generic drug approval falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health through the Pharmaceutical Division and The Registration Department.

Is there a therapeutic difference in using a generic drug?

According to the law, a generic drug must be identical to the original drug in terms of effectiveness, dosage in the blood, quantity of active substance and its dispersion in the body. The differences may be in shape, color, and size of the pill, as well as in the inactive substance list.

Some of the drugs may vary in drug absorption time or in drug clearance. However, these are insignificant differences. With some drugs, such as anti-epileptic or anti- psychosis drugs, it is recommended not to switch between the original and generic drugs so that these differences will not be reflected.

Information about the The Israeli Drug Registry (Hebrew)