How off is your off-brand?

As a result of the recent economy, Americans are trying to cut costs wherever possible. However unlike buying off brand sneakers, skimping on the cost of medicine might make real difference. Are generic drugs just as good as brand name? Theoretically, say researchers, a generic drug contains the same active ingredient and therefore the same therapeutic benefit. However, having the same medical component does not mean the two drugs are identical. They may contain different inactive ingredients such as those used in the pill coating, color or the binding agent that allows for the pill’s form. More importantly, they may differ in bioequivalency, or the amount of drug that is available in the bloodstream at any given time. Generally this difference is only 3.5 percent and is not enough to reduce the effectiveness or produce harmful effects. Most patients should not be concerned about making a switch. Only those taking drugs such as anticoagulant or antihypertension meds should be concerned since there is a fine line between beneficial and toxic doses. However as more and more drugs are produced overseas public fears that generic dug companies will cut costs to maintain low prices have risen. On the other hand, researchers maintain the public need not fear contamination which is stringently monitored by the FDA and the U.S. Pharmacopeia. So go ahead, buy the off brand and save yourself some cents.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=are-generic-drugs-bad-for-you

Posted by Justine Hoch