Once a branded medicines patent has expired other Pharmaceutical entities can product their own versions of the previously protected medicine. Generic medicines do not compromise on product quality or efficacy and are subject to the same regulatory standards as their branded counterparts. Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients (key ingredient) as the original branded medicine. To put it simply it’s the equivalent of buying a low-cost home brand cereal option rather than the branded version. The active (core ingredient) will be same whether home brand cornflakes or the branded version.

Yes. Generic medicines and Branded medicine comply with the same regulatory quality and safety standards. Generic medicines are produced at approved GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) exactly the same approval required for branded medicine.

Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is the minimum standard that a medicines manufacturer must meet in their production processes. Products must:
•  be of consistent high quality
•  be appropriate to their intended use
•  meet the requirements of the marketing authorisation (MA) or product specification  

Good distribution practice (GDP) requires that medicines are obtained from the licensed supply chain and are consistently stored, transported and handled under suitable conditions, as required by the MA or product specification.   

Organisations that may have to comply with good manufacturing practice (GMP) and/or good distribution practice (GDP) include:
•  manufacturer licence holders
•  wholesale dealer licence holders
•  blood establishment authorisation holders
•  non-UK sites employed by UK MA holders   

The Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) carries out inspections to check if manufacturing and distribution sites comply with GMP or GDP. Pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers are inspected when they apply for a manufacturer or wholesaler dealer licence and then periodically based on risk assessments. Overseas manufacturing sites are also inspected.  

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-manufacturing-practice-and-good-distribution-practice 

Crescent Pharma sell via approved pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacy chains. Pharmacists can order from the wholesales and are able to request a specific medicine if required. Crescent Pharma are unable to confirm if specific pharmacies are stocking are product. 

Crescent Pharma do not supply medicine directly to patients. 

Yes. You can request a Crescent Pharma medicine from your pharmacist or doctor. However it remains at the discretion of your healthcare professional to provide the right medicine for their patient.  

General Sales List ‘GSL’ medicines can be obtained from supermarkets and shops without being dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Although in some cases there may still be restrictions on the volume that you can purchase. 

Pharmacy Only ‘P’ Medicines, are what are referred in the industry as Over The Counter Medicines (OTC) have to be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist.  

Prescription Only Medicine ‘POM’, can only be acquired from a licensed Pharmacy with the presentation of a signed and valid prescription from your doctor or qualified healthcare professional.

Crescent Pharma uses a base colour and contrasting coloured circle in order to assist with the differentiation of different medicines and various strengths of the same medicine. Contrasting colours are individually selected in order to prevent potentially confusion.  

Most of Crescent Pharma’s cartons and patient information leaflets are made from cardboard or paper therefore they are recyclable. For pots, bottles and blisters as these have come into contact with medicine you should check with your pharmacist regarding the most prudent route for safe disposal.

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is a regulatory approved and controlled document that provides the foundation of information for healthcare professionals on how the medicine should be used. The SmPC is regularly updated as more information and data is collected on a product.

If you believe you have suffered an adverse event or side effect from taking a Crescent Pharma product, we strongly recommend that you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible.  

Please also report the side effect or adverse event via our medical queries page. 

Developers of a new pharmaceutical molecule will obtain regulatory approval for a medicine along with a patent for a set amount of years of exclusivity in order to safeguard their invention. Branded medicine is essentially a new medicine under patent.

No. If no generic version of the medicine has been developed by other companies than the originator only the approved version will remain available.  

Not always. Sometimes generics may differ in size colour or shape from the branded medicine. However the active ingredient remains the same and has no impact on how the medicine works. 

When a new molecule is developed the innovator usually will file a patent to prevent any other company from replicating the drug and to prevent manufacture and sale of the drug. These patents usually last around 20 years but can be extended. The innovator will usually protect their investment as the innovation process can take 10 years plus to develop and gain regulatory approval.