Generic Medicines: Not Always as Effective

Not all generic meds are created equal. A conversation with a pharmacist recently opened my eyes to down-low facts that few consumers are aware of. For starters, manufacturers of generics are allowed by law to put a lower percentage of the active ingredient into the med. Yes, you're still getting the same med, only not as much. Isn't this something we should know?

Second, generic drugs may metabolize differently because different binding agents (various inactive powders and chemicals) are used to make various ingredients adhere to one another

Insurance companies are paid by drug manufacturers to promote generics as safe, cheaper alternatives to brand name drugs. Where I come from, such payments are called kickbacks. And exactly how do insurance companies promote the generics? They penalize you for using brand name drugs by upping your co-pay for any given prescription. Your doctor can sometimes override this penalty by putting "no choice allowed" on the original scrip.

Some generics work just fine, and the policies of insurance companies vary. Be aware, however, that the generic pill you take may only have 80% to 90% of the medicine your doctor has prescribed. That's why you occasionally see or hear not-so-prominent stories telling you that generics are sometimes only 80% as effective. You heard it from Cat.