Correlation of reference and generic fluconazole-based drugs

The article describes the basic rules for the selection of a systemic antifungal drug from the fluconazole-based preparations available on the Russian pharmaceutical market. Questions of interchangeability of generic and original drugs, research of equivalence (pharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic), possible methodological difficulties of its estimation are discussed. Data on comparative analysis of original and generic fluconazole drugs are presented. The algorithm of rational choice of a drug on an example of fluconazole is formulated, property of a drug to suppress selectively activity of fungi of genus Candida, not showing hepatotoxic drugs, and also questions of correlation between reference and generic drugs on the basis of fluconazole is considered. The Federal Law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Circulation of Medicines“ No. 429-FZ (adopted on December 22, 2014 and entered into force on July 1, 2015) regarding the establishment of the procedure for determining the interchangeability of drugs, states: “Information on the interchangeability of drugs shall be included in the State Register of Medicines from January 1, 2018“. The law discloses the notion of interchangeable drugs, which “means a drug with proven therapeutic equivalence or bioequivalence regarding reference drugs, having equivalent qualitative formula and quantitative composition of active substances, formula and method of administration“. However, some definitions used so far in the law have been changed. Thus, instead of the term “original medicine“ the term “reference drug“ is used from July 1, 2015, which is defined as a medicine first registered in the Russian Federation, the quality, efficacy and safety of which has been proved based on the results of preclinical and clinical studies, and which is used to assess the bioequivalence or therapeutic equivalence, quality, efficacy and safety of generic or bioanalogue medicine. However, this article still uses the terms “original“ and “generic“ drugs, which are familiar to our medical community.

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