Questions about antiviral drugs in Canada

Living With Hep B Treatment and Monitoring
1

I possibly will begin treatment in the new year and have the following questions.

  1. How do I know if an antiviral drug is made in Canada or the US?
  2. How do I know if a generic ETV is reliable or not? I feel nervous about using generics.
  3. Is Baraclude no longer available in Canada?
  4. Is Vemlidy made in Canada or the US?

Thank you very much.

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2

Mine was made in Canada. It was printed on the bottle. I am in US, just started my medication two weeks ago.

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3

Do you mind if I ask which antiviral drug you are taking? One of my options is generic entecavir. I worry that it is made in a developing country.

4

I am taking Vemlidy.

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5

Hi @babytobeast,
First, I want to say that most generic antivirals are safe and comparable to the brand-name. I initially started taking the Entecavir brand-name, but was later switched to the generic version. I have had zero issues with it. You will be surprised to learn that the majority of generic drugs come from India.

The brand-name will indicate where it was made on the bottle, but not with the generic, because it does not come packaged and sealed like the brand-name. My 30-day supply comes in one of those bottles used by the pharmacy to dispense medications. The brand-name tends to be pricey, so many insurance plans don’t cover them, at least here in the States.

Be assured that these antivirals are checked before being shipped from the factories. I hope this gives you some comfort. I have had no issues for 10 years plus.
Best, bansah1

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6

Hi @Bansah1 ,

Thanks for the information. Wonder if Dr @availlant has any insights?

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7

@cscoffin , this is in your jurisdiction.

TT

8

Hello

Gilead has a manufacturing plant in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where they make TDF (Viread) and TAF (Vemildy). There are also generic formulations of TDF and Entecavir available in Canada. I don’t know where it is manufactured (maybe in Ontario or Quebec?). Most of my patients have no problem with tolerating the generic formulations and they are just as effective. The public insurance plan (i.e., Alberta Blue Cross Pharmacare) would always prefer cheaper alternative unless there is a problem tolerating, in which case we would get special authorization for brand-name drug.
Hope that answers your questions

All the best
Carla Coffin

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