Save money with generics and biosimilars

Once a medicine’s patent has expired, follow-on products known as generics and biosimilars may be manufactured and sold. They contain the same active substances as the original medicines and can be sold at lower prices.

Chemically manufactured follow-on products are known as generics. The less well-known biosimilars are follow-on products of biologics, which are proteins manufactured with biotechnological processes. Biologics are highly effective from a treatment perspective because they can be used to modify physical functions in a targeted manner. They are employed in the treatment of severe rheumatic diseases, metabolic and clotting disorders, multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and cancers. Biosimilars have exactly the same effect as the original drugs and can therefore be used for the same diseases. They are also more cost-effective than the original products, which makes them very important as a means of ensuring that the healthcare system remains affordable in the future.

Yes. This is proven through studies and manufacturing certificates and is subject to strict control by the licensing authorities. The safety, tolerability and side effects of generics and biosimilars are the same as for the original medicines.

They are up to 70% cheaper than the corresponding original products. Furthermore, your retention fee is 10%. Many of the more expensive original products have a higher retention fee of up to 40%. By choosing generics and biosimilars, you can therefore save money not only on the price of the medicines but also on the retention fee. Please ask about the applicable cost sharing when you purchase the medicine.

You can search for your medication using our medicine search function. If there is a generic or biosimilar for it, you will be shown the name and price and the price difference in comparison with the original product.

medicine search function

Ask your doctor to give you a prescription for a generic or biosimilar rather than for the original product. It is also possible to simply note the active substance on the prescription without naming a specific product. You will then be given the correct generic or biosimilar at the pharmacy. Doctors are familiar with this procedure and will help you to save money.

Already have a prescription for an original medicine? Simply ask for the appropriate generic or biosimilar at the pharmacy. The pharmacist is allowed to give you the generic or biosimilar, even if the original product is named on the prescription. The prescription is still valid.

There are cheaper generics for many over-the-counter products, including painkillers and medicines for allergies and colds. Ask for them at the pharmacy or drugstore or search for them using our medicine search function. There are no non-prescription biosimilars.

concordiaMed, CONCORDIA’s 24-hour health advice service, can be contacted by phone around the clock. Experienced specialists will advise you on all questions related to your health and can also find the right generic or biosimilar for you.

concordiaMed, telephone +41 41 210 02 50 

Purchase your medicines via a mail-order pharmacy and make additional savings.