Generics Awareness Month

      "Generics na Dekalidad, Para sa 

           Kalusugan ng Komunidad"

      The SLU Department of Pharmacy observes "Generics Awareness Month" this September 2012. With the theme: "Generics na Dekalidad, Para sa Kalusugan ng Komunidad". One of its importance is to correct the common misbelief of people about generic drugs.

  

      Generic drugs have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the branded drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are exactly the same as those of their brand-name counterparts. However, there are patients or consumers now a days who trusts branded drugs more than the generic drugs. Their common notion is because they believe that more expensive drugs are more effective. People should be aware that 

     An example of a generic drug is metformin which is used for diabetes. A brand name for metformin is Glucophage. (Brand names are usually capitalized while generic names are not.) A generic drug, one used for hypertension, is metoprolol, whereas a brand name for the same drug is Lopressor. Many people become concerned because generic drugs are often cheaper than the brand-name versions. They wonder if the quality and effectiveness have been compromised to make the less expensive products. People should not be worried in choosing generic drugs rather than branded drugs because the FDA requires that generic drugs be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs.

      Actually, generic drugs are only cheaper because the manufacturers have not had the expenses of developing and marketing a new drug. When a company brings a new drug onto the market, the firm has already spent substantial money on research, development, marketing and promotion of the drug. A patent is granted that gives the company that developed the drug an exclusive right to sell the drug as long as the patent is in effect.

      So there's no truth in the myths that generic drugs are manufactured in poorer-quality facilities or are inferior in quality to brand-name drugs. The FDA applies the same standards for all drug manufacturing facilities, and many companies manufacture both brand-name and generic drugs. In fact, the FDA estimates that 50% of generic drug production is by brand-name companies.