The National Kidney Foundation (NKF...

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has adopted modern recommendations for the use of generic immunosuppressive medications by dint of solid organ transplant recipients, according to an article in the February 1999 issue of the American Journal of Kidney Disease. Medical adroits patient representatives, and government officials perform the operations indicated ined the updated safeguards at a fresh NKF conference held in rejoinder to the transplant community's regards about the approval process for generic medications and about substitution practices. The topic also is timely because several generic immunosuppressive agents are anticipateed to become available in the near future

Although generic medications have been shown to be cost-effective and efficacious, the possible dangers of using them include overdose, underdose, and unexpect side consequences according to the article. The NKF recommendations include more stringent bioequivalence testing for generic immunosuppressive transplant medications and the inclusion of certain immunosuppressive agents (eg cyclosporine, tacrolimus) in lists of critical-dose medications.

The NKF guidelines also praise involving patients in the decision-making proces whenever changes or substitutions are about to come into view and having pharmacists inform prescribing physicians and patients whenever they switch prescribed immunesuppressive medications for generic medications.

s Sabatini et al, "Drug substitution in transplantation: A National Kidney Foundation white paper," American Journal of Kidney Disease 33 (February 1999) 389-397

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