In a statement, PhAMA said its remarks as reported by CodeBlue last Tuesday had “erroneously implied” that the decision could compromise safety in the patients’ treatment.
“PhAMA’s statement was in specific reference to IJN’s patient load, which mostly comprises critically ill patients, many with comorbidities, who are already stabilised on their existing treatment regime.
“As such, a sudden change may not be advisable without clinical justification by attending physicians,” it said.
Last month, CodeBlue reported on a directive from the health ministry and finance ministry for IJN to switch government patients from originator drugs to generic versions.
CodeBlue quoted PhAMA executive director Chan Li Jin on Tuesday as saying that merely changing medicines would not solve cost management for IJN.
She was quoted as saying that this move might even backfire should the patient’s condition deteriorate and require more treatment, increasing the cost and burden.
PhAMA said today its members had received greater clarity on the decision during a meeting with health ministry officials yesterday, with assurances that treatment safety and efficacy would remain the top priority, while balancing financial considerations.
“Any interchangeability or substitution of generic medicines will be done with prior consultation with a patient’s physician.
“In the treatment of high-risk patients where the benefits of using innovative medicines outweigh the risks and costs, the ministry may consider using innovative medicines, even after patent expiry,” it added.
PhAMA stressed that it recognised that generics and biosimilars have an equally important role to play in the healthcare system, in view of rising health needs and an increasingly ageing society.
It also urged IJN to urgently meet impacted pharmaceutical companies to discuss the status of existing contracts and provide more clarity on the way forward.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries accused PhAMA of failing to consider the long-term economic benefits that generic and biosimilar medicines bring, adding that the switch could save IJN about RM130 million annually.
Earlier today, the health ministry said it will not hesitate to take legal action against parties who stir up public apprehension about generic medicines and influence the public to reject medical treatment.