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Teva launches generic Aricept in the UK

pharmafile | February 16, 2012 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Sales and Marketing |  Alzheimer’s, Aricept, NHS, Pfizer, Teva 

Teva has launched its generic version of Alzheimer’s drug Aricept, as the drug loses its patent protection in the UK. 

Teva, the world’s biggest generics firm, has launched copied forms of Pfizer and Eisai’s Aricept (donepezil) tablets for mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia.

The generics have been priced much lower than its branded equivalent, with a 28-pack of Teva’s donepezil 5mg costing £11.97, exactly 80% cheaper than Aricept’s list price of £59.85. 

The NHS in England spent just over £63 million on the branded drug in 2010, meaning it can look to make substantial savings from generics in the coming years. 

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This is the second launch of a generic Alzheimer’s drug by Teva this month, after the recent roll out of generic galantamine (Shire’s Reminyl) on 2 February.

Kim Innes, commercial director at Teva said: “As the leading generics company in the UK, we have the widest portfolio of our competitors, with over 700 product lines.  

“We’re continuing 2012 with strong product launches and patent expiries. Our focus is on trying to get medicines to pharmacy from day one, because every new product launch continues our support in helping the NHS over save [money] from generic prescriptions.”

Ben Adams 

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