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The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), representing over 20,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, has taken an active interest in the clinical, ethical, and policy considerations concerning the coverage of anticonvulsant drugs for people with epilepsy. The AAN has developed evidence-based guidelines that strongly support complete physician autonomy in determining the appropriate use of anticonvulsants for the patients with epilepsy. Based on this evidence, the AAN has adopted the following principles concerning coverage of anticonvulsants for adults and children with epilepsy.
The AAN opposes generic substitution of anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of epilepsy without the attending physician’s approval.
The Food and Drug Administration has allowed for significant differences between name-brand and generic drugs. This variation can be highly problematic for patients with epilepsy. Even minor differences in the composition of generic and name-brand anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of epilepsy can result in breakthrough seizures.
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Anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of epilepsy differ from other classes of drugs in several ways that make generic substitution problematic.
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For anticonvulsant drugs, small …
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