GPhA touts benefits of counter-detailing programs

ARLINGTON, Va. The Generic Pharmaceutical Association recently released a statement regarding the exploration of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on potential benefits of counter-detailing programs.

The GPhA is calling for continued education of consumers and healthcare providers about safe, effective and affordable treatments to improve health, which include using generic drugs.

"As states struggle with escalating healthcare costs, affordable generic medicines are a clear solution to managing costs while increasing access to quality care," said GPhA president and chief executive officer Kathleen Jaeger. "The more doctors know about the benefits of generics, the more patients can save on their monthly prescription drug bills. Generics are the right choice for better health and for saving state governments and consumers billions of dollars a year."

The association also made reference to the point that counter-detailing helped Pennsylvania save about $572,000 a year on just heartburn drugs, according to the Associated Press. Also, a 1 percent increase in generic drug use would save consumers about $4 billion annually, according to GPhA.