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Pfizer has sent a letter out to people working in the NHS warning that they face legal consequences for prescribing an available generic version of pregabalin f

Pfizer has sent a letter out to people working in the NHS warning that they face legal consequences for prescribing an available generic version of pregabalin for pain relief, as although the initial patent for the drug has expired, there is a second patent on using the drug for pain. So despite the fact that the generic is legally available within the NHS, Pfizer seems willing to chase doctors who prescribe it for pain relief. http://boingboing.net/2014/12/24/pfizer-threatens-pharmacists.html http://boingboing.net/2014/12/24/pfizer-threatens-pharmacist... (edited to make sense, thanks to jameshart)

jameshart 12y ago
I try not to be picky about simple spelling and grammar issues online, but this is an important one: you mean prescribe, not proscribe. The meanings are almost opposite, so it matters more than most. To prescribe is to define a desirable course of action. To proscribe is to define an undesirable course of action. Doctors prescribe medicines; laws proscribe crimes.
- lotsofmangos 12y ago
  Oops, thanks for picking that up. I usually try and proofread my posts, but I missed that.
Shinkei 12y ago
This is a very complicated issue. I don't know laws/regulatory system in the UK, but in the States the FDA has to approve a medication for a specific indication. So if later people discover X drug is great for unapproved Y condition, then doctors have to prescribe it 'off-label.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-label_use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-label_use I don't know to what extent manufacturers can limit prescribing their branded drugs for off-label use. I feel like if I wrote a Rx for any drug for any indication, it would get filled without hassle... although if it was really outlandish, the Pharmacist would probably give me a call. Source: I'm a doctor.
- lotsofmangos 12y ago
  This isn't off-label use though. This is where the drug has been specifically approved for that use. Pfizer here are not trying to limit prescribing their branded drugs for off-label use, they are trying to restrict the available uses of products that are legally supplied to the NHS by other companies.
- UrMomReadsHN 12y ago
  I don't think the pharmacy knows your diagnosis when you fill a prescription. It isn't written on the prescription. You can in fact run into problems with the insurance company if the treatment is extremely expensive.

jameshart 12y ago

I try not to be picky about simple spelling and grammar issues online, but this is an important one: you mean prescribe, not proscribe. The meanings are almost opposite, so it matters more than most. To prescribe is to define a desirable course of action. To proscribe is to define an undesirable course of action. Doctors prescribe medicines; laws proscribe crimes.

lotsofmangos 12y ago
Oops, thanks for picking that up. I usually try and proofread my posts, but I missed that.

Shinkei 12y ago

This is a very complicated issue. I don't know laws/regulatory system in the UK, but in the States the FDA has to approve a medication for a specific indication. So if later people discover X drug is great for unapproved Y condition, then doctors have to prescribe it 'off-label.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-label_use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-label_use I don't know to what extent manufacturers can limit prescribing their branded drugs for off-label use. I feel like if I wrote a Rx for any drug for any indication, it would get filled without hassle... although if it was really outlandish, the Pharmacist would probably give me a call. Source: I'm a doctor.

lotsofmangos 12y ago
This isn't off-label use though. This is where the drug has been specifically approved for that use. Pfizer here are not trying to limit prescribing their branded drugs for off-label use, they are trying to restrict the available uses of products that are legally supplied to the NHS by other companies.
UrMomReadsHN 12y ago
I don't think the pharmacy knows your diagnosis when you fill a prescription. It isn't written on the prescription. You can in fact run into problems with the insurance company if the treatment is extremely expensive.