Patients with Parkinson’s disease should be protected against unplanned switching of the brand of drugs they take, campaigners have warned.
The disease is highly sensitive to the timing of administration of dopamine – and campaigners say that generic versions and branded versions of treatment may have different release rates.
The charity Parkinson’s UK has released a warning over the risks faced by patients who are taken off their usual medication and given a cheaper alternative.
They give the example of a 65-year-old male patient, Barrie Smith, who was doing well on the branded medication Sinemet, but suddenly needed help with activities of daily life when moved to a cheaper generic form of the drug.
Generic products undergo the same rigorous testing as branded products but the drug’s release rates may vary, affecting each patient differently and potentially being less effective at treating Parkinson’s.
GPs may switch to cheaper drugs for reasons such as a shortage, says Parkinson’s UK. If a generic medication is prescribed, pharmacies can dispense any relevant option available.
The charity points out that taking medication is "time critical" and the schedule is carefully balanced by health care teams, so it is essential that prescribers stick to the same product, for example either Sinemet or the generic version.
Chair of the Parkinson’s Disease Specialist Pharmacy Network, Stephanie Bancroft, commented: “Sinemet is the branded drug, the first that was made and licenced as a brand and marketed for many years before any generics appeared.
"The release rates of the active ingredients may be affected by the inactive ingredients generic manufacturers use to make the tablets or capsules. This can affect how the active ingredients are released.
“If a patient has been stabilised on Sinemet by their consultant this should not be changed to a generic version by their GP without discussing the change with the consultant and patient."
Dr Rowan Wathes of Parkinson’s UK added: “It is vitally important for prescribers to specify the Parkinson’s medication brand or generic manufacturer on prescriptions for people with Parkinson’s.”
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