Multisource drugs: implications and concerns in the geriatric population.

The demand for high-quality, cost-effective pharmaceuticals has increased. Much of this demand has evolved as a result of rising healthcare costs, state and federal entitlement programs, and third-party drug benefit restrictions. Patent expirations and changing patient demographics, as well as recent contributory forces, have fueled the need for multisource drugs and led to their greater availability. Legislative attention focused on the Food and Drug Administration and Abbreviated New Drug Application approval has had a positive effect on the multisource industry. The public is assured an era of vigilance, continual quality assessment, and greater integrity in the multisource drug approval process. The elderly are a rapidly growing population of prescription drug users who can benefit from cost-effective pharmaceuticals, such as those offered by multisource drugs. However, concerns and issues have arisen regarding the use of multisource drugs in the elderly. This article reviews these concerns and places into perspective the role of multisource pharmaceuticals in this population.