Sick and tired of high drug costs? You're not alone. Americans spend more than 150 billion dollars per year on pharmaceuticals, and with costs rising all the time, many are looking to generic alternatives. These products promise the same benefits as their name-brand equivalents, but at a fraction of the cost. When considering something as important as your personal health, do generic drugs measure up?
Generic drugs can save you money. They cost much less than brand-name drugs. But many people worry that generics are not as good. You need not fear that. Generics are every bit as pure, potent, and safe as brands. They aren’t like “generic” cereal, soap, or canned goods — where the brand is indeed usually a better product. The Food and Drug Administration regulates generic drugs just as it does brands, and all generics, by law, must have exactly the same active chemicals as the brands they copy. You’ll get the same medical benefit.
It’s tempting to want the newest medicine. But you may not need one. Think of generics as “tried and true.” They have been prescribed for many years, and doctors know them well. In contrast, new drugs have uncertainties and can sometimes cause problems. Today, generics are available for about half of all prescription drugs, and some widely prescribed drugs will become available as generics in the next few years. So, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can save money by using a generic drug.
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