Generic vs. Brand Name Prescription Drugs
Posted by Todd Fries | Filed under FAQ, Medicine
With the rising costs of medications, Generic Prescriptions are becoming more popular than ever. Some 65% of all prescriptions filled in the U.S. are now Generic, yet they account for only 20% of dollars spent on Rx. That shows the enormous savings between Generic and Brand Name prescription drugs.
By law, Generics must have the same active ingredient and the same action as the Brand version, which allows Generics to piggyback on the original safety and efficacy trials of Brand, hence the much lower price.
However Generics do have different inactive ingredients which can affect how they’re absorbed in the body. Therefore, if you are currently taking any medication for a long-term condition, it’s recommended to stay with the version you are stabilized on such as medications for thyroid and blood conditions. Also, some pharmacies sell Generic versions interchangeably, so make sure to tell your pharmacist you want to stay with the same one if it’s working successfully for you.
Bottom line, Generics seem to be the wave of the future and more and more doctors are prescribing them for their patients because of the tremendous costs savings and overall effectiveness. Just make sure if you switch to a Generic from a Brand Name, monitor your systems and review any changes with your doctor.
Dr. Mellissa Stoppler from Medinet.com debunks the myth that generic is inferior to brand name prescription drugs.
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September 4th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
MediaCurves.com just conducted a national study with 966 viewers of a news clip highlighting the potential dangers of generic brand drugs. illustrating the dangers of texting and driving. Results showed that nearly half of viewers (46%) reported that they are less likely to purchase generic drugs after watching the video. The study also found that 66% of viewers had a more negative perception of generic brand drugs after watching the news clip. More in-depth results can be viewed at http://www.mediacurves.com/HealthCare/J7539-Generic-Drugs/Index.cfm
Thanks,
Ben