With the country in a state of economic crisis, the issue of generic versus brand name drugs couldn’t be more significant. Health care is already expensive enough, why pay more for brand name when you can get the same essential thing with a generic drug. According to the FDA, “A generic drug is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, quality, the way it works, the way it is taken and the way it should be used”. This basically sums up the debate on which is better medically… Neither! They are essentially the same, just in different packages under different aliases. So why would consumers continue to buy brand name? When new drugs are first introduced in the market they come patented and those patents last roughly 17 years, states the FDA. Therefore, for up to 17 years, no other manufacturers are allowed to sell a replica of the same drug, and the brand name has no other competition. After 17 years of using the same product and having good effects, most people are weary of switching to another name, much less a non brand name, because they think its not as effective. The problem is that a lot of people are unaware of the fact that generic brands are just as effective. In this time of economic crisis, more people should be made aware of the potential for saving money and this seems like a good place to start.
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I think that it is important that patients are educated on brand name vs generic. The knowledge deficit begins in the doctor's office. If the physican and the staff would educate patients on the difference then I think that patients would be less skeptical of generic.
ReplyDeleteTrue the doctors should educate you about the drugs. But everyone should be proactive and educate themselves also. For example, by asking questions of your doctor, nursing staff, and pharmacists.
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