Generic medication

06 Jan 2014

When it comes to medication, there are brand names and then there is what’s known as generic. But is there actually a difference and are the brand names worth the price tag?

Many people become concerned when offered a generic brand, purely because of the stigma attached.

However, generic drugs have the same dosage, active ingredients, side effects and strength as the brand names.

The big difference? The price.

Why the difference?

Brand names usually come with development costs, research costs, marketing costs and promotion. There are also usually the costs associated with patenting the drug.

Generic drugs don’t have these associated costs. What actually happens most of the time is that the generic drugs are manufactured by the same companies and the branded drugs so the start-up costs don’t exist.

Poorer quality?

It’s always important to remember whenever you’re asked whether you’d like the generic version of your medication, that there is no difference in quality or effect between the brand name and the generic version.

Generic medication is still subject to the regulations of the medical associations and of the government.

The key difference between brand name and generic medication is likely to be the inactive ingredients – the bulking agents, lubricants and fillers – that bind the medicine together, allow the medicine to be produced and help the body absorb it.

But don’t be alarmed, the Therapeutic Goods Administration requires all medications, including generic ones, to undergo testing to ensure they meet the required quality and manufacturing standards.  

When not to switch

There are times when it’s not advised to substitute branded medication for generic. In this situation, your pharmacist will make sure you’re looked after.

There are some medications that carry a “brand substitution not allowed” warning on the box. For example, people suffering with epilepsy are not advised to switch to generic branded medicine due to the difference in the inactive ingredients.

It’s also important to take care when looking at the inactive ingredients. If you suffer from allergies to some drugs, it’s possible that the generic brands carry the ingredient that you’re allergic to.

If you’re unsure, always ask your pharmacist or doctor. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with the right information, and this is likely to come from questioning your doctor and studying the ingredients in your medication.