RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the degree of utilization of generic drugs in Spain and Catalonia. To determine real savings and scope for further savings due to the use of generic drugs. DESIGN: Descriptive, crossover study. SETTING: Public health prescription in Spain and Catalonia in June of 1999 and in Catalonia from January to June of 1999. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In June of 1999, the market share of generic drugs in Spain was 1.15% in units and 0.91% in pesetas of the hole drug prescription. The most used were oral ranitidine, oral diclofenac and oral amoxicillin. Catalonia, in this period, has a greater relative utilization of generic drugs, specially in psychotherapeutic agents like alprazolam and fluoxetine. During the first semester of 1999 only in 9.9% of the occasions where generic drugs could be used, were they actually prescribed. Specifically, the drug most used in its generic form was oral diclofenac with 27.1% of the all possible prescriptions. The real savings generated by the generic drugs were 0.2% of the public pharmaceutical bill, and the theoretical capacity of savings with the current generic offer were 2.3%. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low but fast-rising utilization of generic drugs in Spain and Catalonia. Nevertheless the possibilities of savings are at the moment, in relative terms, small. A greater use of them and specially a diversification of the offer is necessary to achieve important relative savings in the overall pharmaceutical bill.