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Abstract #52011 Published in IGR 14-4
Generic drugs in glaucoma therapy, a new reality to deal with
De Natale R; Gandolfi SAClinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2013; 41: 622-624
Generics are named "equivalent". This is expected to (a) increase physicians' confidence in this class of products and (b) to reinforce the concept that no difference exists between generics and the brand. Registering a drug as "generic" means that the generic is endorsing "some" but not "every" feature of the originator. Let's start considering, for example, the "bioavailability". Bioavailability indicates the blood concentration of the drug over the time elapsing from its entry into the blood stream until its elimination. The curve drawn by the concentration/time diagram is limiting an area, the so called Area Under the Curve (AUC). The AUC is adopted as a parameter to compare a generic with its brand. The present regulations allow a generic to have a bioavailability within ± 20% of the brand's one.
Glaucoma Clinic, Community Hospital of Monselice, Monselice, Italy.
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