REAL, FAKE, OR IMPOSTER: Prescribed Medications or Generic Medications?
Does it really matter that the pharmacy routinely replaces prescribed medications with generic medications?
“If a rose was called by any other name would it not smell as sweet?” Shakespeare, “Romeo & Juliet”. Medications: Generic vs. Brand Name
How much difference does it make if you take a generic brand medication instead of the brand name?
Does it matter? If it doesn’t matter, why do different companies make the same medications to sell for a various amounts of money? Why are they allowed to?
Why do we ever buy Brands? Is it all because of advertising?
What is the opinions of the pharmaceutical companies? physicians? nurses? parents of sick children? patients?
One lady states that when her husband gets the generic form of his medication it doesn’t work nearly as well (Indocin SR. 75mg, generic name is Indomethacin SR 75mg). This medication is used in osteoarthirits, gouty arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, & ankylosing spondylitis. It is an apirin-like medication.
My son had a very bad cough for a few weeks. He had spasms as he coughed that he appeared as if he was choking. His face turned red, saliva spurted from his mouth and nose and it seemed as if he couldn’t catch his breathe. He reminded me of how a person coughs that has a tracheostomy. I finally took him to the doctor because I was worried that it was lingering and I was worried about his lungs (he had a brief encounter with asthma when he was an infant from a viral infection). His Pediatrician office prescribed Bentyl. The NP gave me a sample that tasted like Root Beer. When I gave it to my son he actually took it since it tasted like Root Beer and it seemed to work immediately. I finished the sample and had the prescription filled. I was given the generic. The pharmacist at CVS never asked me if this was OK but I took it thinking it wouldn’t be polite to ask. It didn’t taste like Root Beer. I put it in a little bit of Root Beer soda and that was sufficient for my son to take it. His cough did not appear to be getting better at the rate it was previously. In fact when I cut it back to 2x day it got significantly worse and took a much longer time to improve after I increased it back to three times a day. I called the store and asked for the name brand. They said,”OK, but I would have to wait 5 days since that is when they get their orders in…they didn’t have it in stock”.” “OK”, I said. “ I’ll continue with generic until then”. It didn’t feel polite to complain. When did I become so polite?
On Monday, I picked up the name brand and had to pay an extra $10.00 for it since it was not covered under my health insurance (only the generic was covered with the co-pay plan)!
What is your experience with generic medications? Why are we not asked when having scripts filled? Does it matter? Does it matter at some times and not others? Why does the insurance company have the right to tell me what type of medication I can get under the plan…I pay over $800.00 a month for my family health plan! I’m investigating and I’ll wait for your responses.
Clones of some drugs are allowed to be made and sold by other companies after the originals have been on the market for 17 years…that is when the patents run out. There are some medications that should not be used in generic form (it’s dangerous to do so)such as blood thinners since they are hard to regulate.
Generic medications should have the same basic formula as the brand medication but fillers & coloring is sometimes added and flavors may be different. Overall quality is SOMETIMES not as good as the brand name. The FDA does regularly check the manufacturing plants of generic drugs for safety.
Some insurance companies will only pay for the generic brand. Check with your insurance company and pharmacy. You may have to pay for the brand name yourself but I would write to your insurance company and complain about the policy especially if taking the generic brand is not in your best interest (problems of your own taking it or your doctor’s or pharmacist’s opinion). When dropping off prescriptions ask for the brand name if that is what you want.
March 19th, 2010 - Posted in Medicines | | Comments Off
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