Are Generic Drugs as Effective as Name Brands?

• “Yes”

  

  “Affordable Medications Bring Good Health to More People”

• No Objections Yet

Affordable Medications Bring Good Health to More People

American Society of Health System Pharmacists

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Generic medications approved by the FDA are proven to be the same as the brand name drugs and provide an important avenue for many Americans to better afford their medications.  This is an extremely important consideration, especially for the nearly 47 million Americans without health insurance.  And it’s particularly alarming that 11 million of these uninsured Americans also suffer from a chronic health condition, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, according to a study published in the August 4, 2008, Annals of Internal Medicine.

Many chronic health conditions can be treated very successfully with medications, avoiding further illness and costly hospitalizations.  However, when patients cannot afford these medications, they may suffer needlessly from dangerous and even deadly complications of their disease.

According to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), more than half of all prescriptions in 2007 were filled with generic medications, which can cost up to 80 percent less than their brand name counterparts.  The GPhA notes that in 2006, the average brand-name prescription product cost $111, while the average cost for a generic drug was $32.23.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is generic product for medications that you are taking.  If there is not, and you are concerned about cost, ask if another drug can be used to treat your condition.  Together you can decide what therapy is best for you.

Evidence

Link

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States

Link

"A National Study of Chronic Disease Prevalence and Access to Care...

Next Argument

"Yes" Amer Soc of Health System Pharmacists

• Generics are as Effective as Brand-Name Medications
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• Individuals May React Differently to Any Drug
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• Affordable Medications Bring Good Health to More People
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"Yes" Generic Pharmaceuticals Association

• By Law, Generic Medicines Are the Same Medicines as Brands
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• Generic Medicines and Brand Medicines Deliver the Same Health Benefits
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• Generic Medicines Must Meet Same High Quality Standards as Brands
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• Post-Marketing Surveillance Requirements
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• Generics Provide Significant Savings to Consumers
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"Yes" Consumers Union

• Generics Must Have the Same Active Chemicals
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• The Basics
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• Switching Drugs
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"No" ConsumerLab

• Consumers are Reporting Problems When Switched to Generic Drugs
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• Generics Are Not Tested for Safety and Efficacy
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• Generics Drugs are Given Much Leeway in How They Perform
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• Binders, Fillers, and Other Chemicals May Be Different
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• Delivery Mechanism and Rate of Release May Be Different
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• Product Information for Generics May be Incorrect and Misleading
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• There May Be Manufacturing Problems with Some Generics
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"No" Peter Kowey MD

• Therapeutic Margins Are Too Small
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• Low Drug Levels are As Bad As High Levels
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• We Have Enough Variance in Drug Therapeutics—We Don’t Need More
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Most Objections

• Generics Must Have the Same Active Chemicals
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• Generics Drugs are Given Much Leeway in How They Perform
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Do Generic Drugs Work?

• Yes
• No

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