In a statement, the association “makes a strong appeal to healthcare professionals not to steer prescriptions or dispensing of therapeutic solutions containing dapagliflozin toward other molecules that do not yet have a generic version, namely empagliflozin.”

“Only in this way will Portuguese users of generic medicines be able to benefit from such a significant decision by Infarmed [the medicines regulator],” the statement notes.

Infarmed authorised the marketing and state co-payment of generic medicines containing dapagliflozin, with the widespread availability of these more affordable alternatives beginning on 1 August.

Since that date, medicines containing 10 mg of dapagliflozin, used to treat type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and chronic heart failure, have been covered under the Reference Price System, maintaining a 90% co-payment rate.

According to the Generic Medicines Users’ Association, the measure will benefit approximately 900,000 patients with type 2 diabetes, who “will now have access to a range of generic medicines priced 50% lower.”

Furthermore, the association states that “prescribing and dispensing generic dapagliflozin saves the State 45 million euros per year.”

In the statement, the association urges Infarmed “to accelerate the introduction of more generics into the national market, benefiting more users and the SNS [National Health Service].”