Analysis of Factors Influencing the Interchangeability of Antiepileptic Drugs

Abstract

The presence of several generics on the pharmaceutical market makes it possible to create a competitive environment and helps to reduce the costs of drug therapy. RF Government Decree No. 1154 of October 28, 2015, “On the procedure for determining the interchangeability of drugs for medical use” determines largely the fate of generics in Russia. Quality assurance of generics and the creation of a competitive environment for the procurement of pharmaceutical products by regional public health institutions in order to reduce costs were the primary drivers of this decree. However, results from substitution of antiepileptic drugs indicate a number of problems in this field. The present review is devoted to an analysis of the interchangeability problems of antiepileptic drugs.