Generic Medicines and Their Future
                     GENERIC MEDICINES 
AND THEIR FUTURE
INTRODUCTION
The global generics drug market is anticipated to grow to 
$574.63 billion by 2030, owing to the increasing application 
of robotic process automation, branded medicine patent 
expiries and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
GENERIC MEDICINE
A generic drug is created to be the same as an existing 
approved brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, 
method of administration, quality, and performance 
characteristics.
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
GENERIC MARKET 
COMPETITION
After a drug’s patent expires, the cost savings associated 
with generic use do not appear right away. Generic 
medications, like branded drugs, require generic market 
competition before costs decline; two to three years after 
losing exclusivity protection, generic drug prices typically fall 
by 60–70 percent relative to their branded counterparts.
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
FACTORS AFFECTING GENERIC 
MEDICINE MARKET GROWTH
• The low cost of generics as an alternative to branded 
drugs
• Increasing application of robotic process automation (RPA)
• A large number of branded drug patents expiring
• Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases
• Initiatives by governments and other regulatory bodies 
across the globe
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
THE ROLE OF ROBOTIC 
PROCESS AUTOMATION
• Being a low cost as a substitute for branded medications is 
a major reason likely to drive the generic drug industry’s 
growth in the near future. Increasing the usage of RPA can 
also provide lucrative growth prospects for global industry 
leaders.
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
EXPIRATION OF PATENT DRUGS TO 
DRIVE THE GENERIC DRUGS 
MARKET
• Each year, drug makers lose exclusivity for popular 
medicines, forcing them to constantly research and launch 
new drugs to stay afloat. 
• Some large names, such as Lyrica and Herceptin, lost 
exclusivity last year, consequently 2020 saw the debut of 
significant new generics. Additionally, further drugs will 
come out of patent in coming years.
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
INCREASING PREVALENCE 
OF CHRONIC DISEASES 
• Chronic diseases, also known as non-communicable 
diseases (NCDs), are long-term illnesses caused by a mix 
of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural 
factors. 
• Cardiovascular disorders (heart attacks and strokes), 
malignancies, chronic respiratory diseases (such as 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and 
asthma), and diabetes are the most common NCDs. 
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GENERIC 
DRUG DEVELOPMENT
• Prices of generic pharmaceuticals have been declining 
amid public outcry over growing brand-name prescription 
costs, prompting concerns about the long-term viability 
and profitability of big generics companies. 
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GENERIC 
DRUG DEVELOPMENT CONT.
• Some in the industry, on the other hand, are turning 
lemons into lemonade and seeing a world of possibilities 
instead and putting their chemistry skills to good use. 
• Some companies that make active medicinal compounds, 
for example, have begun to provide additional services 
based on their particular chemistry expertise, such as 
offering specialised design services.
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com
CONCLUSION
• As the whole pharmaceutical industry works to prove its 
credentials for patient-centricity, another focus for the 
Spotlight will be to look at where generic drugs have made 
a difference and what role they could have to play in 
increasing patient engagement.
Source: www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com