Pharmaceutical quality of seven generic levodopa/benserazide products compared with original Madopar®/Prolopa®

Abstract

Background: By definition, a generic product is considered interchangeable with the innovator brand product. Controversy exists about interchangeability, and attention is predominantly directed to contaminants. In particular for chronic, degenerative conditions such as in Parkinson's disease (PD) generic substitution remains debated among physicians, patients and pharmacists. The objective of this study was to compare the pharmaceutical quality of seven generic levodopa/benserazide hydrochloride combination products marketed in Germany with the original product (Madopar W / Prolopa W 125, Roche, Switzerland) in order to evaluate the potential impact of Madopar