NEW Manifesto for
building a resilient UK
medicines industry
building a resilient UK
medicines industry
Policy recommendations for saving the NHS more money encouraging domestic growth and reducing shortages through maximising the UK generic and biosimilars market.
The financial risk to the
NHS of the VPAS levy
continuing to apply to branded
generics and biosimilars
NHS of the VPAS levy
continuing to apply to branded
generics and biosimilars
A new consulting report from The Office of Health Economics (OHE) and London School of Economics (LSE) on the risks of increasing the rebate rate on branded generics and biosimilars.
Strengthening the
resilience of the global
supply chain
resilience of the global
supply chain
The BGMA calls for a coordinated industrial strategy to safeguard the supply of generic and biosimilar medicines in the UK.
Oxera study into the UK Generic medicines market
A new independent report by economics consultancy Oxera has underlined the critical importance of the UK generic medicines sector and how, via free competition, it provides sustained and significant savings to the NHS creating greater patient access..
Better access. Better health
Read our guide to Generic and biosimilars medicines market and pricing
Better access. Better health.
The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) represents the interests of UK-based manufacturers and suppliers of generic and biosimilar medicines and promotes the development and understanding of the generic and biosimilars medicines industry in the United Kingdom.
We have a strong focus on quality
The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has launched a forum in conjunction with the MHRA to focus on ensuring the manufacturing quality of generic medicines in the UK.
We reflect our members’ views at UK and European levels
We represent the views and interests of our members and industry generally to the UK government, the devolved administrations, regulators, other relevant third parties, including where appropriate the Institutions of the European Union and the media. Find out more about joining us.
Our core focus
Patients
Making medicines more affordable to the NHS and therefore increasing patient access to important, and potentially life-saving, drugs is a key role of the UK generic and biosimilar medicines industry.
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Quality
Generic medicines in the UK must comply with exactly the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy as all medicinal products.
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Value
The UK generics industry is the engine room behind a virtuous circle of innovation and cost containment.
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Sustainability
The generic industry in the UK is amongst the most efficient in the world with prices currently amongst the lowest in Europe.
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Partnership
The UK generics industry is a key part of an efficient supply chain which ensures patients access the medicines they need in a timely and affordable manner.
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Latest news
Highlights
31.10.2024
BGMA supply issue dashboard October 2024
01.10.2024
Solutions to UK Medicines Shortages
24.09.2024
BGMA supply issue dashboard September 2024
10 things you need to know
1
Generic medicines meet the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy as originator brands.
2
Generics have to demonstrate that they are bioequivalent to the original product - i.e., they deliver equal medical benefits to the patient.
3
Generic competition saves the NHS more than £13.5bn per annum.
4
The average cost to the NHS of a generic medicine is £3.80, whilst the average cost of a branded medicine is £20.95.
5
On one product alone, based on current usage, the generics industry has saved the taxpayer £1.1bn.
6
In the UK, a free market approach with competition between manufacturers and incentives for GPs to prescribe and pharmacists to dispense generics has led to a high market share (76%) for generic products.
7
Generic prices in the UK are the lowest in the developed world and are constrained by free market competition.
8
The market share that generics reach and the savings they generate are dependent upon national legislation and regulation.
9
Further growth and NHS savings are constrained by regulatory delays and costs, and the actions of some originator companies in trying to avoid or delay generic competition.
10
Competition from generics also stimulates the research based pharmaceutical industry to develop new medicines.
