Generic medicines: the same medicine in less money
The generic medicine is a copy of a brand name drug. A brand name drug has a patent. When the patent runs out usually after 10 to 15 years, other pharm-company can make generic versions of the medicine. Drug companies spend billions of dollars advertising the brand name drugs such as Lipitor and Celebrex. But often it is possible to get a generic medicine that works just as well and costs much less!
Are generic medicines as good as brand names?
By law, all generic drugs must have the same active ingredients as the brand that copy. They must be the same force and work the same way as the brand name drug. Generic drugs are not as generic cereal or canned products, in which the mark may be a better product.
What is the difference Between generic medicines and Branded drugs?
The big difference is that generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. There are a couple of other differences- like the colour, shape, size, or flavour, but do not affect the quality of the drug.
Generics have different names-
Most drugs have a brand name and a generic name. For example, the generic name for Viagra is sildenafil, which is the main ingredient of Viagra.
Get to know the generic names. Pay for brand names just because you recognise them or that are easier to say.
Generics look different-
The brand-name drugs are often an advertised by colour and shape. Remember the ads for the "purple pill" for heartburn? Generics are often white pills or plain pink.
Do not be fooled by looks. Sometimes the shape or lining of a brand name drug will be easier to swallow or digest, but this does not make it better.
How much money can I save with generics?
• If you pay a flat co-payment fee for drugs, the co-pay is lower. You can pay $ 5 to $ 15 for the generic drug, but $ 15 to $ 35 for the brand name drug.
• If you pay a co-payment based on the total cost of the drug, as a co-payment of 30%, it also saves money. The total cost of a brand name drug is about 3 times the cost of the generic version.
• If you do not have drug coverage and you pay out of pocket for the medication, you save money with generics.
Can the pharmacist give me a generic if my doctor has prescribed a brand name drug?
Yes. In most cases, the pharmacist can give the generic instead of brand medication.
And if there is a generic version of the branded medicine I take?
Ask your doctor for generic drugs in the same class of drugs. Ask if any of these generic drugs would work as well as the brand name drug. For example, there is a class of drugs called statins, to treat high cholesterol. Some statins are as generic drugs, while others do not. If you take a statin brand, ask if generic statins would work for you.
Remember, generic medicines have been in use for more than 10 years, first as a brand and then as a generic so we know a lot more about their safety than on brand name drugs.
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