Generic medicines: an option for the sustainability of the healthcare system
An Ambrosetti study has been presented: 13 million people are currently living with at least two chronic conditions, 30 per cent more than in 1993
Key points
The price difference between off-patent originator medicines and their generics results in an estimated additional cost to the public of around 1.1 billion euros each year. This figure takes on even greater significance when viewed in a European context: Italia remains one of the countries with the lowest market penetration of generic medicines, which account for 9 per cent of the total pharmaceutical market by value, compared with 54 per cent in the United Kingdom and 30 per cent in France.
Expanding the use of generic medicines in Italia is therefore a key lever for improving access to care and ensuring continuity of treatment. This is one of the central messages of the study “The Future of Healthcare: Access, Sustainability and Innovation for the System”, carried out by The European House – Ambrosetti and presented to mark Teva’s 30th anniversary in Italia; last year, the company distributed over 101 million packs of medicines through the retail channel and nearly 150 million units through the hospital channel.
In 2025, Teva’s generic medicines enabled the National Health Service to make estimated savings of 350 million. This figure exceeds 1.16 billion over the period 2022–2025.
“Thirty years of operating in Italia give us a clear responsibility,” says Umberto Comberiati, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Teva Italia, “to make an ongoing contribution to the sustainability and development of the National Health Service, ensuring access to care, quality and continuity of treatment for millions of people.”
Generic medicines: a driver of sustainability and access
