HIV and ID Observations

Hot on the heels of generic nevirapine comes generic abacavir:

On June 18, 2012, FDA granted approval for a generic formulation of abacavir tablets, 300 mg, manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. FDA has determined that the generic formulation is bioequivalent and, therefore, therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug, Ziagen Tablets, a product of VIIV Healthcare Company.

Note that this is for the separate 300 mg tablets, which are approved for twice-daily dosing, and not (yet) for the convenient coformulated once-daily abacavir/3TC tablet.

Nonetheless, it’s notable that a highly effective, well tolerated regimen — abacavir, 3TC, and efavirenz — could now be two-thirds generic, with the last third (efavirenz) probably becoming generic sometime soon.

Does that mean you’ll be switching your patients to generic abacavir once it appears in pharmacies?  Let’s do a poll.

Will you switch your patients from coformulated abacavir/3TC to the generic separate tablets?

• Nope -- the fewer pills the better
• Only if a payor forces the issue
• Sure, let's start saving some healthcare dollars

View Results