FDA gives unique generics priority

14 March 2006

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to eliminate a backlog of more than 800 pending generic drug applications by focusing on those offering the first cheaper alternative therapy, the agency's acting chief told Congress on Tuesday. Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach defended efforts to bring cheaper drugs on the market by telling lawmakers that the agency aimed to ensure "that there's at least one generic available" for most conditions, giving preference to the first one submitted.

Similar or identical generics are less of a priority, he told the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies. Sen. Herb Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat, called on the agency chief to act more quickly to sort through waiting generics that he said could save consumers up to $10 billion a year.

Generic drugs are wonderful alternatives of the branded one. Erectile dysfunction (ED) generic drugs such as generic Viagra and generic Cialis have shown immense potential in treating ED or impotence.

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