Cialis and viagra sales may suffer, while the generic version won't, according to Medcofacts.com, which collects data on prescription drug spending.
"There are many reasons why generic companies may choose to move away from generics. The major one is price," said Matthew Lehner, a spokesman at the Generic Pharmaceutical Association.
He pointed out that the generic is only slightly more expensive than the original drug, and said generic companies look at every possible strategy to preserve the value of their products.
Last year, the generic prices of viagra and cialis, the two most commonly prescribed medications for treating erectile dysfunction, were essentially the same.
Still, as more companies are moving away from their traditional business model, there are growing concerns about the quality and safety of less expensive drug. The FDA is investigating safety of rebates paid to generic companies.
The price controversy comes despite fact that generics contain all of the active ingredients original drug in a cheaper package price. For example, the generic price of cialis is about 25% the original price of drug, according to a report by Medical Economics.
But a study last year by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the Methodist Research Institute found that generic cialis made up for its lower price, saving consumers 23,000 on average in the first year.
And last year, the FDA asked generics to do something Viagra online toronto that drug companies have never done before. Starting January 2010, generics must now include the active ingredients of original drug in any pills sold at a lower price.
Generic companies say they will have to lower their prices compete with other drug companies.
"We are not going to be able compete with the big boys at moment," said Dr. Richard O'Brien, a professor at the Department of Medicine and director the Cardiovascular Center at Baylor University Medical Center. "But that is not going to be the case forever."
O'Brien noted that the generic pill market is growing, but still small compared to the pharmaceutical business.
"No one is denying generics are a good way to get better drugs at a lower cost," he said. "But the issue is: How much does Cialis 60 Pills 50mg $319 - $5.32 Per pill this really affect patients?"
And the question that remains unanswered, O'Brien argues, is why patients need a generic at all.
"I've never heard of a patient being harmed by generic," he said.
And it's not just generic drugs that are being affected.
"It's becoming a very important issue and we're concerned about it," said Mike Lillis of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association.
The association supports FDA, but wants a reduction in discounts to protect consumers, he said. And said the association is working to get FDA approval of a generic version the drug.
But Lillis said there are still questions about the safety of drug.
"We feel very positive that we're protecting patients, but we've got to understand what is the risk, as well," he said.
And while the controversy over drug may hurt the generic and big drug companies, it does have some positive implications for patients, O'Brien said.
"It's allowing the doctors to prescribe a generic and it's allowing patients to get the drug," he said. "But issue is: What is the risk?"
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