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According to the FDA, “a generic drug is identical, or bioequivalent,
to a brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration,
quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.”
Brand or Generic?
Why your Pharmacist should be your best friend
By Billie McCracken, PharmD
When deciding between a brand-name and a generic
alternative medication many people believe that the
brand-named drug is better quality and more efficacious.
However, most will concede to purchasing a generic drug
due to the high cost of brand-name medications.
What is not always explained to the patient is
that generic medications are almost always just
as good as their brand name counterpart. In fact,
it is estimated that 50 percent of
generic medication production is
produced by brand-name companies.
Why are medication costs so high?
The costs of brand name medications
are high due to the expense of
years of research and development and
bringing a medication to market. All
brand name medications are given a
patent for a period of time which allows
the drug manufacturers to recoup their
costs and also be able to fund future
research for other medications. Almost
70 percent of all prescriptions dispensed
are generic, yet these account for only
16 percent of the money spent on medications
in the US. On average, a brand name
drug costs $85 more than its generic equivalent.
Almost70 percent
of all prescriptions dispensed
are generic, yet these account for
only
16 percent
Simple money-saving tips
could save you hundreds of dollars every year.
Ask if there is a generic alternative available
when your co-pay is higher than expected
or higher than you can afford.
If you pay cash or have insurance, have the
pharmacy bill you for a higher quantity of
pills. The more you receive the cheaper it
is (you need to have your doctor write the
prescription for the higher quantity to be
able to have it dispensed at that amount).
of the money spent
on medications in the US.
Get to know your pharmacist! Your pharmacist can help save
you money when a generic version of your prescription is not available,
a comparable generic alternative that works in a similar way
may be on the market. Pharmacists have the
authority to switch a brand name medication
to its generic equivalent when
available but are not able to switch
to a generic alternative without
permission from your doctor.
Always ask! Due to time constraints
and workloads placed
on pharmacy personnel, many
pharmacists do not call the doctor
to switch to another agent
unless asked. You can also ask if
there are more affordable generic
versions of your prescription
that will work just as well as
what your doctor has prescribed.
Billie McCracken, PharmD
Pharmacist
Logan Clinic Pharmacy
Budge Clinic Pharmacy
435.713.2770
When a generic alternative is not available
and you have to get a brand name medication,
check the manufacturer’s website.
They often offer savings cards that can give
you a significant discount.
Have your pharmacist check to see if the
cash price is cheaper than what your insurance
wants you to pay. Surprising as it may
seem, it happens.
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