These two antiepileptics can no longer be substituted by a generic

A decree published this Thursday in the Official Journal has extended the list of drugs considered to have a “narrow therapeutic margin” (MTE).

These are the treatments that may escape generic substitution in pharmacies,

reports .

The substitution of the original drug (origin drug) by a generic was implemented in November 2019 by Social Security to save money.

Generics are in fact on average 30% less expensive than the main treatment.

But exceptions are provided for and left to the discretion of doctors.

"Not substitutable MTE"

The two new drugs that join the list of exceptions are antiepileptics: they are Vimpat, from the UCB laboratory, and Trileptal from Novartis.

As with the others, the doctor will have to indicate “non-substitutable MTE” on the prescription so that the pharmacist does not automatically give the patient a generic.

Vimpat and Trileptal join the thirteen treatments already affected by this exception.

The list already includes several antiepileptics (Lamictal, Lyrica, Zonegran, Epitomax), an anticonvulsant also used against epilepsy (Keppra) but also treatments against opioid addiction (Subutex), anti-rejection drugs or even cancer treatments .

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