Top 8 Myths of Buying Generic Drugs
Generic drugs are medicines that are similar to their brand-name counterparts in strength, quality, safety, dosage, and performance. Given the high cost of developing, marketing, and selling brand-name drugs, they are very expensive to buy. On the other hand, generic drugs cost 80%-85% less than brand-name drugs. This is one of the biggest reasons for the increasing popularity of generic medicines in today’s market.
Also, people have the leverage to buy generic drugs online. Generic drugs are prescribed in 9 out of 10 cases in the U.S. This allows easy access to healthcare along with making treatment more affordable for patients.
Although there are huge benefits of switching to generic drugs, there are some people who prefer brand-name drugs to generics. Below are the top eight myths about generic drugs and facts to debunk these myths:
Myths on Buying Generic Drugs
- Generic Drugs have different active ingredients,
- Generic Drugs are less effective,
- Generic drugs are lower quality drugs than brand name drugs,
- Not much difference in price between Brand name and generic drugs,
- Due to low quality, the manufacturer sells at the lowest price,
- People who are switched to a generic drug are risking treatment failure,
- FDA does not regulate generic drugs,
- Generic drugs have low-quality active ingredients.
Myth #1: Generic Rx Drugs Have A Different Active Ingredient Compared To Brand-Name Drugs And Are Approved With A Less Strict FDA Approval Procedure.
FACT: As per the FDA, generic drugs must have the same active ingredient, dosage, safety, strength, and effectiveness as their brand-name counterparts. Also, the procedure for both generic drugs as well as brand-name drugs is the same.
Myth #2: There Is A Difference Between Generic And Brand-Name Drugs In Terms Of Effectiveness In The Body.
FACT: In order to get approval, the generic drugs have to be bioequivalent to their brand-name drugs. This means that the generic drug must work exactly like a brand-name drug in the body.
Myth #3: The Manufacturing Standards Of Brand-Name Drugs Are Higher In Quality Than Those Of Generic Drugs
FACT: In order to get FDA approval, generic medicines are to be made following the exact quality standards of making, testing, and packaging as their brand-name equivalents.
Myth #4: There Is Little Difference In Pricing Of Generic And Brand-Name Drugs. Thus It Is Safer To Pay A Little More And Buy Brand-Names In Order To Be Safe.
FACT: The major difference between generic and brand-name drugs is their pricing. Where on the one hand brand-name drugs cost higher due to the exclusivity of the manufacturer, the generic drugs cost at least 80-85 percent less than brand-name drugs.
Myth #5: Due To The Low Quality Of Generic Drugs, Their Manufacturers Sell Them At A Lower Rate.
FACT: The reason behind the lower prices of generic drugs is that their manufacturers do not have to recover huge investments done in developing and marketing the drugs.
With no difference in quality or effectiveness, buying generic drugs would be a smarter choice. Further, buying generic drugs online may also help you save even more on your medication.
Myth #6: People who are switched to a generic drug are risking treatment failure.
FACT: There is no evidence found for this claim. Treatment failure can happen by either taking generic drugs or brand-name drugs. A study found that switching from brand drugs to generic drugs has a very rare bad effect. It can be due to a change in version or manufacturing errors.
Myth #7: FDA does not care about worries over generic drugs.
FACT: It is wrong to say the FDA does not regulate generic drugs. FDA is actively involved in making all generic and brand drugs safer for all. FDA takes several steps to ensure the safety and quality of drugs before giving approval for marketing.
Myth #8: FDA lets generic drugs differ from brand-name drugs by 45 percent.
FACT: This claim is false. Those who repeat this statement do not know about the review and approval process of generic drugs. According to a report, the absorption of generic and brand drugs into the body differs by only 2-3 percent. The absorption of some generic drugs is different from person to person.
Read More: