Glaucoma and generics in Europe

Abstract

Original drugs and generic drugs used in glaucoma differ from each other. This can lead to worse drug tolerability and, as a result, to worse patients’ compliance. Therefore, an essential issue is, besides the drug’s efficacy, its optimal tolerability for the patient. The potential differences in viscosity, pH, drop size, and surface tension has a potential strong influence on the complex delivery mechanism of the active molecule to the receptors in the eye and its clinical relevant efficacy. These differences, in addition to different appearance and handling of a “new” bottle, may pose problems with patients’ compliance after using a new preparation.