More than three quarters of all NHS prescription medicines dispensed in England and Wales in 2013 were generics, according to the latest figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).

Based on the data, the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has calculated that generic medicines are now saving the NHS nearly £12.3 billion each year, up from a saving of around £11 billion in 2012. Warwick Smith, BGMA director general, said: “These NHS figures underline the importance of the generics industry in the UK, which provides crucial financial savings for the NHS, allowing investment into new medicines. As well as the savings, the uptake of generics also increases access to vital medicines.”

The increase in generic prescriptions last year was partly driven by the patent expiry of several large volume products, including atorvastatin, which helps reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, while the greatest cost saving came from manufacturing of the generic version of branded medicine Lipitor. Generic competition allowed 40 per cent more patients to benefit from this medicine, reducing NHS costs by almost 70 per cent.