Rx drugs are losing to generics in the war for consumer dollars

The rate of prescription abandonment increased 34 percent since 2006, according to an analysis by Wolters Kluwer Health (WKH).

The WKH report found that prescription abandonment — whereby a patient submits a retail prescription but doesn't pick it up — increased from 5.15 percent in 2006 to 6.8 percent in 2008. The study found that abandonment rates increase as co-pays do. New prescriptions with co-pays of $100 or more had an abandonment rate of more than 20 percent, while the abandonment rate for scripts with co-pays of $10 or less was 4 percent. "Price sensitivity is clearly a factor as consumers decide to forgo certain prescriptions altogether, including some for chronic conditions," said Mark Spiers, president and CEO of WKH. "This disturbing trend may have serious health implications and seems poised to continue — especially if the economy deteriorates further."

The WKH analysis also found that generics represented 60 percent of all prescriptions filled in the United States in 2008. The percentage was even higher for oral drugs. According to the report, in 2008 prescriptions were filled for 2.4 billion generic drugs versus 1.4 billion brand-name medications. Generics have seen a growth rate of 12 percent since 2004, while brand-name medications dropped 6 percent during the same period.

"We're close to the point, certainly by the end of 2009, where two out of every three prescriptions filled will be generic," Spiers said. "These trends are going to become even more pronounced moving forward, as there are many blockbusters in major therapeutic areas like cholesterol reducers due to come off patent in the coming three years. The volume of available generics will increase, and there are very few new blockbuster drugs in the pipeline to replace them."

Factors such as increased patient education, increased awareness of the availability of generics, and changing attitudes, Spiers said, have all contributed to the growth of generics usage. "Patients are becoming far more comfortable with the concept of using a generic in place of a brand," he said. "This, in part, is due to patient education programs and enthusiasm forged by marketing vehicles such as $4 generic drug programs."

The worsening economy also has played a role in patient decision-making. As insurers set higher co-pays for brands, patients are choosing to save money with generics. "Increased unemployment and high numbers of newly uninsured are encouraging patients to look for ways to cut costs. Choosing a generic over a brand fits right into that mindset," Spiers said.

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Iran Gifts Books to New Zealand Library

Christmas came early at the Palmerston North City Library, multicultural services librarian Parrill Stribling said after getting two boxes of books from the Iranian Embassy.

Iran is keen to play a full part in Palmerston North's next Festival of Cultures in April, Iran's Deputy Ambassador to New Zealand Ali Maamati said during a visit to the City Library on Friday. Maamati had just donated two boxes of books about Iran to the library, doubling its Farsi (Persian) collection. Later he made a tour of the city facility and shared his admiration of New Zealand libraries. They were more than book repositories, but places of learning, friendship and social interaction, he said. In the absence of city librarian Anthony Lewis, he was met by multicultural services librarian Parrill Stribling and library outreach head Jay Robinson. "We are very pleased to have some collaboration with the Palmerston North City Council and the opportunity to present a selection of books about Iran to Palmerston North," Maamati said. "Books are a good way to become familiar with Iran's art and society and also enhance the understanding between cultures." His embassy recently screened Iranian movies in Christchurch and he would be interested in a similar event for Palmerston North, he said. When told of the annual Festival of Cultures in February, he was interested in bringing the movies to the city then. In the discussion that followed, it was suggested there was an opportunity to introduce music and dance at the festival as well. Stribling described the gift of about 35 books as "wonderful". "Some of these books are very hard to get - particularly the books of poetry. I'm very pleased by the whole thing."

Karimi Saves Persepolis in Derby

TEHRAN - Iran's international superstar, Ali Karimi, scored his first goal since his return to Persepolis and he chose a great moment to do it: two minutes from the end of the Tehran derby against rivals Esteghlal.
The 65th derby between Tehran's two popular clubs, Persepolis and Esteqlal, resulted in yet another tie at a packed Azadi stadium. Two minutes into the game, Hossein Kazemi, made Esteqlal's first goal attempt by taking his chance from distance, but it went just wide. Following the incident the Reds were the dominant side possessing the ball in Esteqlal's ground. A long-range shot by Karim Baqeri hit the Blues' post in the 6th minute. On the 12th minute, Ebrahim Tore missed Perseoplis' best opportunity in the first half, after receiving the ball from Captain Ali Karimi. Karimi missed an excellent opportunity for Persepolis in the 33rd minute. Receiving a cross pass from Baqeri, he dribbled past Esteqlal defender Hashem Beigzadeh but his shot went over the bar. But right after the break, Arash Borhani put the Blues ahead in the 46th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse to put Esteghlal 1-0 ahead. Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline. With Esteqlal leading 1-0, Persepolis were staring defeat in the face. Persepolis increased pressure on Esteqlal firing one after another and missing chances from the 18-yard box. Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi hit an Esteqlal post, Karimi missed a gilt-edged chance and Borhani should have scored at least one more. With time almost over, Karimi sent the Red fans wild with delight with his equalizer and denied the Blues a famous win. Persepolis are in fourth while Esteghlal are in seventh though the season is still young. Zob Ahan are in second after a 6-3 thrashing of a struggling Saipa side. Sepahan won 1-0 at Rah Ahan while Pas and Malavan drew 0-0. Leaders Bargh won the previous day.

Nekounam Saves Iran in Saudi Arabia

Nekounam Saves Iran in Saudi Arabia
TEHRAN - A late header from Javad Nekounam earned Iran a 1-1 draw in Saudi Arabia on Saturday in the opening night of the final round of qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

Twenty-nine minutes into the game, poor defending by Iran allowed Saudi's Saad al-Harthi in the box, who then found himself one-on-one with Iranian goalkeeper Mahdi Rahmati. Al-Harthi accordingly scored with ease. But Saudi Arabia failed to convert three other opportunities. One was repelled by Iran goalkeeper Rahmati and twice shots flew wide. Following the opener, Iranian players struggled to put even 3-4 successful passes together. Every attack however broke down after a few seconds. In the last minutes of the first half, the game slowed down considerably. Saudi Arabia players seemed happy with the result, and Iranian players waited for the half time break. Whatever Iran's coach Ali Daei said during the break, it worked as the Iranian side was much improved in the second half. Iran finally broke Saudi control when Nekounam scored with nine minutes left with a header past goalkeeper Mansour al-Naqi. King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh was packed with thousands of Saudis, many of them dressed in green, the color of the national flag. To encourage Saudis to attend the match, the entrance fee was waived by the General Presidency for Youth Welfare, the federation that oversees sports. In a reflection of that Saudi fans enjoy off-court theatrics better than on-court heroics, they booed when the Iranian national anthem was played. In Group B, the Saudis and Iranians occupy second and third place respectively. In another match in Group B on Saturday, the United Arab Emirates took on North Korea in the 2010 World Cup Asian qualifiers at the Mohamed Bin Zayid stadium in Abu Dhabi. In the 11th minute, UAE captain Abdulraheem Jumaa picked up a poor clearance from the North Korean defense and ran into the penalty area with just the rival goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk to beat. But under pressure from the keeper Jumaa pulled the shot wide of the post. The UAE wasted numerous chances in the first half and they paid for it when the visitors took a shock lead through an own goal in the 72nd minute. Choe Kum Chol was put clean through with a fine pass into the area and the striker's shot deflected off defender Basheer Saeed, who was inside the six-yard box, and found the back of the net. North Korea doubled the lead in the 80th minute. Substitute striker An Chol Hyok took his time and showed calm nerves as he fired in a low shot from outside the area to beat goalkeeper Obaid Altawla at his near post. North Korea hung onto the one-goal margin and their two-one win to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign in style.