Do You Like to Save Money? If so, Generics may be Right for You!

Contributed by:  Andy Clark, Pharm.D. Candidate

                       UMKC School of Pharmacy
Text Box: What are generic drugs? Generic medications work just like brand name drugs in dosage, strength, performance, and use because they have the same active ingredients as the brand name drugs. Furthermore, generic medications must be reviewed and approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that they meet the same quality and safety standards as their brand name counterparts. Are generic drugs as reliable as the brand name products? Quite simply, the answer is “yes.” All drugs that are considered to be generically equivalent to a brand name product must meet strict manufacturing requirements set by the FDA. Each drug must be bioequivalent, which means that the same amount of active ingredient is delivered to the body at the same time and used by the body in the same way as the brand name product. Bioequivalent medications should have the same effects on the body as the brand name product. If brand name and generic drugs have the same active ingredients, why do they look different? Trademark laws in the United States preText Box: vent generic drugs from looking exactly like brand name drugs. By necessity, the generic drug must replicate the active ingredient. Qualities like color, flavor, and certain other inactive ingredients may differ. Are all brand name drugs available as generics? No. A brand name drug is typically given 17 to 20 years of patent protection before its patent expires. This protection period gives the innovating company the ability to recoup its expenses from bringing the drug to market. Such expenses typically include research, development, and marketing. After the patent expires, however, other manufactures can begin to produce the drug’s generic version. Why should I use generic drugs? Generic medications usually cost considerably less than their brand name equivalents. If you have prescription drug coverage, you can often save between 30 and 60 percent by using the generic equivalent. Even without a drug coverage plan, you can expect to save about 50 percent—and sometimes more—by choosing generic drugs. Text Box: How can I get generic drugs? Begin by talking with your physician or pharmacist, and let them know you want to start saving money on your medications. You can ask your physician to write a prescription that allows for a generic substitution of a name brand medication. You may also ask your pharmacist if a drug is available as a generic. If you currently receive a brand name medication and a generic form is available, the pharmacist can call your physician and ask permission to switch to the generic. Where can I get more information about generic drugs? Your pharmacist can answer many of your questions about generic drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has resources available for you, including a toll-free hotline to answer questions about drug safety and efficacy. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-532-4440. The FDA web site is updated regularly and features important information about medications www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/. Text Box: Previous Page Text Box: Balls Hen House Pharmacies Text Box: Merriam Town Center 5800 Antioch Rd. Merriam, KS 66202 (913) 831-4140 6238 N. Chatham Road Kansas City, MO 64151 (816) 746-1475 Text Box: Sprint Campus 6450 Sprint Parkway Overland Park, KS 66251 (913) 315-8646 8120 Parallel Parkway Kansas City, KS 66109 (913) 334-1660 Text Box: 1015 N.E. Rice Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 (816) 525-1479 13600 S. Blackbob Olathe, KS 66062 (913) 782-2039 6900 W. 135th Street Overland Park, KS 66223 (913) 814 WELL (9355)