Generic substitution of branded drugs

[NKFCEO]

Please let the NKF know through this discussion whether branded Imunosuppressant drugs are being replaced by prescriptions for generic substitutes. The more detail you can give, the better. Drug type, where it is occurring, was the patient warned and in agreement ?

[tfc5]

Luckily my chemist is very good at sticking to the branded cyclosporin (Neoral) but I have had issues in the past with supply of it.

[mrspick]

My hubby had a problem a few years ago with Neoral supply but we had a good pharmasist and he managed to keep him supplied although he said there was a shortage at the time..

[NKFT]

I have been changed to a generic Mycophenolate for the last 6 months. Tacrolimus unchanged. No problems.

[miniclio]

I am currently being switched from Tacrolimus to Adoport. This is being done with consultation, consent and very close monitoring. I am very happy with the way this has been handled.

[Hidden]

I understand why this is being done (cost savings) but is their any information from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society about the relative quality of construction and therefore absorption/metabolism amongst transplantees rather than the general population ?

[Michael1]

Apparently the rights to exclusive distribution of some immunosupresent drugs have expired. I switched from Prograf to Adoport and from Cellcept to Myfanax early this year - nothing seems to have changed. Originally I was advise to come back a week after the switch, but then they told me not to worry and keep to my standard 8 weeks.

I'm not convinced it's being done with consent - unless consent means not making a fuss. I'm happy and have not noticed any change.

[smashandgrab]

I was changed from Prograf to Adoport and Cellcept to Myfanax in October 2011 without any consent being obtained but just told this would save money and that they were exactly the same but they would check my blood weekly. This was done once and then given another 8 week appointment in which time my creatnine had increased significantly and I began to reject my kidney. I mentioned that I thought the rejection was caused by the change but was told that this was unlikely but as it happened at the same time I am not a big believer in coincidence. I am now in need of a further transplant but am not sure if I would want to go back on the generic brands next time around unless I can see some statistics to prove they are as good.