Epilepsy Action has spoken with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DSSPC) to clarify the status of anti-epileptic drugs in the ‘Go Generic’ policy trial.
The ‘Go Generic’ trial is to try and encourage GPs and other health professionals to prescribe generic versions of drugs. These are almost identical drugs, with identical composition, but produced by a different manufacturer. For instance paracetamol is the generic version of the original brand, Panadol.
The NICE guideline for epilepsy says that people should keep to the same brand of anti-epileptic medication. This is because different versions may work slightly differently. They may not control seizures as well or may make side effects worse.
We are pleased to be able to state that the ‘Go generic’ policy trial excludes anti-epileptic drugs.
The ‘Go Generic’ trial began in Northern Ireland in 2007/08, and is continuing with no review date set. A list of the exceptions to generic substitution can be found here. All community pharmacists in Northern Ireland have been issued with a copy.