Spain and Europe Acting Together To Make Sure the Market Has Access to Generic Medicines

A joint meeting of the Spanish Generic Medicines Association (AESEG) and European Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (EGA), whose member is the Bulgarian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (BGPharmA), took place on January 19, 2016 in Barcelona. Highlighting industry’s commitment to increase patients’ access to high-quality medicines, both associations confirmed their commitment to join their efforts and to provide the Spanish market with access to generic medicines. A recent IGES institute survey showed that the improved access to generic drugs can have a significant beneficial impact on patients' health. AESEG and EGA governing bodies discussed the importance of the price differences between generic and brand drugs for competition stimulation and the negative effects of the supply system in Andalusia and the European Commission proposal to exempt the generic production meant for third countries from SPC (Supplementary Protection Certificate), which would create thousands of jobs for the Spanish pharmaceutical industry. "Our industry is ready to cooperate with Spanish authorities in order to remove the barriers before the competition and to increase the treatment profitability aiming at providing patients’ with improved access to high-quality medicines", emphasized Mr. Adrian van den Hoven, EGA Director. "In Spain 7 out of 10 generic drugs are produced in the country", stated Mr. Ángel Luis Rodríguez de la Cuerda,AESEG Director. "The salutary competition on the Spanish generic drug market will provide the country with added value and new jobs. Therefore, the European Commission proposal to exempt the generic production meant for third countries from SPC (Supplementary Protection Certificate) is of importance for building new manufacturing facilities and opportunities for opening new jobs in Spain. We call on the Spanish government to support strongly this measure meant for creating jobs in the EU".