[News] Generic Drugs and "Bioequivalence"

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Endless

Even Keel
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Breakthrough seizures with generic drugs or changes in manufacturers is a huge issue for some. Did you see this link in the Epilepsy News section? The Epilepsy Community (I don't know exactly who that is) is asking the FDA to redefine bioequivalence from the current standard of 80% to 120% to a stricter standard. Hopefully, fewer breakthrough seizures due to manufacturer changes. I think it would be a good move for other drugs as well.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131209104920.htm

Epilepsy Community Seeks Redefinition of Bioequivalence from FDA
Dec. 9, 2013 — For several years, epilepsy practitioners have questioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) definition of bioequivalence as it applies to narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs, such as those used for epilepsy. In response to these concerns, the FDA has sponsored 3 studies of antiepileptic drugs and also convened an advisory board to help determine which drugs are NTI. The new NTI definition and new bioequivalence guidelines and their impact will be a major point of discussion during a town hall session held with leaders from the FDA during the American Epilepsy Society's 67th annual meeting in Washington DC.

Bioequivalence, a term used by the FDA to define specific criteria used to approve generic variations of brand drugs means that the versions of a drug produced by various manufacturers are expected to be used interchangeably without safety or efficacy concerns. A generic drug must produce blood levels within 80-120% of the brand drug in order to receive FDA approval. For drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, there are significant concerns among the epilepsy and neurology community that 80-120% may allow too much variability to ensure patient safety. Countless anecdotal reports suggest that manufacturer variations of antiepileptic drugs may cause changes in blood concentrations leading to loss of seizure control or other adverse effects, leading to serious mental, physical and social consequences for the person with epilepsy.
"Clinicians are concerned about balancing the need to control medication costs while ensuring the safety of generic drug switches. We are grateful that the FDA has listened to concerns and funded these critical studies on generic drug safety," said Michael Privitera, MD, Director of the Epilepsy Center at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute and Vice President for the American Epilepsy Society.
In addition to the town hall session two other new studies about manufacturer variations and bioequivalence were presented at the meeting.
One of the studies is part of the national FDA-funded clinical trial EQUIGEN (Equivalence Among Antiepileptic Drug Generic and Brand Products in People with Epilepsy). This particular series of experiments, led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin is an in-vitro screening of generic versions of the antiepileptic drug, lamotrigine. The goal was to find the two most different generic products to use in the human testing portion of EQUIGEN, which is using rigorous blood level testing in both single dose and multiple dose studies. The methodology identified disparate generic products for the EQUIGEN studies by demonstrating variations in dissolution time.
In a separate study, a survey of retail pharmacist knowledge and attitudes about antiepileptic drugs was conducted by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati. The study found that most pharmacists (73%) reported reservations when switching from brand to generic manufacturers for antiepileptic drugs. Pharmacists (80%) reported trying to keep the same antiepileptic drug manufacturer in stock for patients if possible. Most pharmacists (63%) believed the range used by the FDA to determine bioequivalence to be stricter than actual requirements. Of the pharmacists surveyed, nearly a third (30%) were aware of patients that experienced breakthrough seizures or side effects associated with manufacturer change.
"Pharmacists play an important role in the care of people with epilepsy," said, Lisa Garrity, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cincinnati Children's Hospital. "Our study reveals retail pharmacists share concerns surrounding manufacturer changes of antiepileptic drugs and highlights a need for additional education on issues associated with antiepileptic manufacturer changes for pharmacists. Communication between retail pharmacists, patients and epilepsy care providers is essential to safely utilize generic medications in patients with epilepsy."
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Yaaay, Thanks for the post Endless.

It is great to hear that this issue is finally being addressed.

:clap:
 
Let's hope it doesn't take too long to get the stricter standard enacted.
 
Most studies take a few years so I wouldn't be too optimistic about things being enacted too soon. Even once the studies are done it is very possible that pharmaceutical companies may try to oppose any redefining of standards so we may have to wait until that fight is over.
 
dilantin

does anybody know where I can find Dilantin that will not cost me an arm and leg?
 
Are you able to take the generic form (phenytoin)?
 
Hi jerry1967,

You may want to try using cbd oil (medical marijuana) I buy it on line and it lasts me 3 months or longer. I've had epilepsy for 46 yrs. and had 2 surgeries to reduce my seizures but later on I found out I was drug resistant so I went on the cbd oil and I am amazed at how much my seizures have decreased. If you are interested check out the following web page. healthyhempoil.com I buy the mouth spray in the 1 ounce bottle and they mail it to me. I just use my debit card or credit card to pay for it and what I like about this group is if a person doesn't care for it you can send it back and they will refund your money within 90 days. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue
 
My wife was on Dilantin for many years and also had issues with the generics, so required the brand name. I'm a bit surprised at your post though because Dilantin was cheap compared to other AEDs. The patent on Dilantin expired a long time ago. Where are you buying it that it is priced at an arm and a leg?
 
Because it is a brand and there are generics my insurance consider Dilantin Brand a Tier 3 which is expensive for me.

I was wondering if anybody knows if the Dilantin Brand that is in Canada is the same pill?
 
Trying to find out if all Dilantin 100mg Brand is manufactured in the same place.

Does anybody know?
 
Your best bet is to contact either the drug company or the pharmacist.
 
Drug companies will not tell you. They don't want you to know where it is manufactured.
 
can't take generics, would like to buy from Canada but don't know how close theirs are to our Dilantin.
 
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