Generic drugs as good as original brand – MoH

GENERIC drugs allowed by Interchangeability Certificates are as good as the original brand says Panama’s Ministry of Health (MoH).

"The Interchangeability certificate indicates that a generic drug is as good as the innovator or reference" said, Karima Torres, Deputy Director of Pharmacy and Drugs of the Ministry of Health on Sunday April 28.

The announcement was made following the lifting of Interchangeability Certificate requirement for specific medications, by the National Pharmacy and Drug administration in order to avoid shortages and to streamline supply processes as required by law.
The MoH temporarily lifted Interchangeability Certificates for several drugs until September 15. The Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs said these medications are not usually used in critical or severe pathologies.
Additionally, the National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs performs a intensive quality checks to medicines whose certificates were temporarily lifted.
In total, 32 drugs that are exempted from the certificate allowing people to purchase drugs with the same active qualities at lower cost.
Among the drugs to which the permissions are relaxed is captopril to treat high blood pressure, omeprazole to control gastritis and the antibiotic azithromycin, used to treat bronchitis and pneumonia.
The Interchangeability certificate ensures that generic drugs meet the quality requirements demanded by the Ministry of Health for use in the population.