April-June, 2003

Ask the Pharmacist
By Christy Wiebe, Pharm. D., St. John's Pharmacies
 

Generic drugs: less expensive, but equally effective

Pharmacists and physicians frequently receive questions about generic drugs, and over time, some misconceptions have developed regarding these less expensive remedies. Many people mistakenly apply the old rule of thumb, “If it costs less, it must not be as good.” However, this simply isn’t true for generic medications.

Here are some answers to common questions about generics.

Q: Are generic drugs really the same as the brands?

All drugs must be rigorously tested and approved by the FDA before entering the market, and the quality standards are the same for both brands and generics. Generic equivalents must contain the exact same active ingredients as their brand name counterparts. A generic drug must be “AB-rated” by the FDA before it can be legally substituted for the brand name. This means the generic must prove that it will act in the exact same way in your body as the brand name product. Generic versions are also just as safe and effective as brand-name drugs—there is no evidence that generic drugs have more side effects than brands. Additionally, some recent landmark drug studies have included generic drugs and they have been shown to be just as effective, and sometimes more effective, than newer branded products for certain common medical conditions such as hypertension.

Q: Are generic drugs made in second-rate facilities?

The FDA has established high manufacturing standards for the makers of ALL drug products—brand and generic. All drug manufacturers are subject to the same FDA requirements and periodic inspections. Generic manufacturing plants are comparable to the facilities that make brand-name products, and in fact, nearly 50 percent of all generic medications are actually made by brand-name firms. Some brand-name companies will copy their own or other brand- name drugs but sell them with a generic label.

Q: How much money can I save?

Generic drugs generally cost 30-60 percent less than brand-name products. According to the Congressional Budget Office, generic medications save consumers about $8 billion to $10 billion yearly at retail pharmacies. For patients who have a prescription drug benefit through their health plan, generic drugs will usually have lower copays. As a result, generics reduce drug costs for the health plan and can help keep future premiums lower.

Q: Why don’t all drugs have generics?

About 40-50 percent of all prescriptions are filled with generic drugs. All drugs have generic names, but not all have generic equivalent versions on the market. Brand-name drugs are patented for 17-20 years from the time they begin development. Generic versions cannot be approved until the brand-name patents or other periods of exclusivity have expired. Many new generics for major brands (e.g. Prozac, Relafen, Mevacor, Zestril, Claritin, Prilosec, Glucophage, and others) have just been released and more are expected in the near future.

According to Gary Buehler, director of the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs, “People can use generic drugs with total confidence.” Ask your doctor or pharmacist if generic versions are available and right for you.

For more information about generic drugs visit the Food & Drug Administration's Web site at www.fda.gov.

For a consumer's guide to generic drugs, visit www.nclnet.org/Generics.pdf.