Objective: To investigate the relative impact of generic entry and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines on prescribing using statins as an exemplar.
Design: Retrospective analysis of statin prescribing in primary care and cost simulation model.
Setting: Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre (RCGP R&SC) database and Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) database.
Introduction: Chile implemented a generic substitution policy in 2014 to improve access to medicines. This study aims to measure if the generic substitution policy had an effect on the sales volume and prices of referent and the branded generic products with demonstrated bioequivalence (BEQ) in the private pharmaceutical market.
Methods: The volume and total private sales of medicines sold at private sector retail outlets between November 2011 and October 2016 were considered in the analysis.