Generic Ribavirin Tablets Approved
On December 5, 2005, the FDA granted full approval to generic ribavirin tablets from three manufacturers: Teva, Three Rivers, and Zydus. The brand name for the drug is Copegus. The capsule formulation has been available as a generic since 2004 (brand name: Rebetol).
Ribavirin is used in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, a common co-morbid condition in patients with HIV. As the new generics compete for market share, the cost of treatment for this condition will decrease. In addition, patients with third-party payers should see a decrease in copayments at the pharmacy if generics are substituted.
Generic drugs are held to the same manufacturing and quality standards as their brand name counterparts, and are required to show therapeutic equivalence through biopharmaceutical testing in humans. Ask your pharmacists about the availability of new generics at your pharmacies before getting medications refilled so they may have time to contact your physician to ask for authorization to substitute (where necessary).
-rxdoc
Ribavirin is used in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, a common co-morbid condition in patients with HIV. As the new generics compete for market share, the cost of treatment for this condition will decrease. In addition, patients with third-party payers should see a decrease in copayments at the pharmacy if generics are substituted.
Generic drugs are held to the same manufacturing and quality standards as their brand name counterparts, and are required to show therapeutic equivalence through biopharmaceutical testing in humans. Ask your pharmacists about the availability of new generics at your pharmacies before getting medications refilled so they may have time to contact your physician to ask for authorization to substitute (where necessary).
-rxdoc