Author: knowitnow
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:30 pm
Please do not fear the discontinuation of generic Subutex. As a pharmacist for 35 years, I can tell you that I have seen this happen many times. RB is discontinuing the brand name because they are not selling any. Since the generic came on the market the sales of the branded product has plummeted. Even people with high incomes will not pay for a brand name drug when there is a much less expensive generic (this was not always the case, but healthcare dollars and our perception of value has changed over the years). RB discontinuing their product has absolutely nothing to do w/ the product itself. Just follow the money.
On the other side of this coin, when the generic comes out, research also slows to a trickle. The companies making the generic are not the ones putting their dollars into research. The big problem here is that if you have a drug that is still being researched and new indications are a possibility, they will never be studied because there is no money to be made. The Suboxone Film is an obvious patent extending product. That is not a problem in my mind, I think it is a great product, but I am glad people have a choice. In years to come, another company will come out w/ a film too and RB will loose there patent on that. Rest assured that there are people working for RB right now who are spending their time thinking of another way to deliver buprenorphine.
The best part of all of this is that the success of Suboxone tells me that there is lots of money to be made in this field. I am hoping that there are other companies and doctors thinking of new and even better ways to put addiction in remission.
I hope this makes you feel better and worry less about this life saving medication.
