Ms Sandra Gannon:

We need to address the issue of the quality of generics. As stated, Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland spent a considerable amount of money in trying to disseminate information on generic medicines because this was a new area for Irish patients. However, generic medicines are used right across Europe as a mechanism to save money. For example, some 80% of the volume of medicines dispensed in Britain and Northern Ireland are generic. In the context of the level of take-up, generic medicines are frequently used in other European countries. Generics are licensed through the HPRA in exactly the same way as originator medicines. All of the regulations required in terms of good distribution and manufacturing practice are all applied to generic companies in the same way as they are applied to originator companies. We are also subject to the same requirements in the context of monitoring our products on the market. We monitor our products all the way through from the point at which we place them on the market. Adverse events in respect of all medicines are reported to generics companies and, just like originator medicines companies, we report them to the HPRA.