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The association between automatic generic substitution and treatment persistence with oral bisphosphonates

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Abstract

Summary

Automatic generic substitution of alendronate products, used to reduce drug costs, and medication persistence was studied retrospectively between 2006 and 2009. During this period the number of, and the rate of substitution between, alendronate products increased while persistence decreased. Patient preferences should be considered when designing and evaluating generic policies.

Introduction

Automatic generic substitution (AGS) was implemented in Sweden in 2002. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between AGS and persistence with alendronate treatment of primary osteoporosis in Sweden.

Methods

An open historical cohort of women and men (n = 36,433) was identified in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register through filled prescriptions for alendronate or risedronate between 2005 and 2009. Co-morbidity data was extracted from the National Patient Register. The association between AGS and medication persistence was investigated using non-parametric and parametric survival analysis.

Results

Between 2006 and 2009, the number of alendronate products increased from 15 to 25, the proportion of prescriptions constituting a substitution increased from 10.8% to 45.2%, and the proportion of patients persisting with alendronate treatment for 12 months fell from 66.9% to 51.7%. Patients starting alendronate treatment in 2006 had lower risk of stopping treatment compared with those starting in 2007 (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.29–1.39), 2008 (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.43–1.55), and 2009 (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.40–1.60). No difference was observed in persistence with proprietary risedronate during the same period. Individuals who had their alendronate product substituted at the first prescription refill had significantly higher probability of discontinuation (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.20–1.30).

Conclusion

AGS causes increased product substitution which appears to be associated with reduced treatment persistence. Poor health outcomes and associated costs due to forgone drug exposure should be taken into account in the design and evaluation of policies implemented to encourage utilisation of generic medicines.

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Conflicts of interest

Both authors have previously consulted for companies marketing products for osteoporosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Management Centre, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Berzelius väg 3, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden

    O. Ström

  2. OptumInsight, Stockholm, Sweden

    E. Landfeldt

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  1. O. Ström
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  2. E. Landfeldt
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Correspondence to O. Ström.

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Ström, O., Landfeldt, E. The association between automatic generic substitution and treatment persistence with oral bisphosphonates. Osteoporos Int 23, 2201–2209 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1850-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1850-4

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