“My pharmacist asked whether I would like the generic
version of the medicine my doctor prescribed. Should I buy the cheaper generic
brand or stick to the original (more expensive) medication?”
Many common medications have cheaper brands known as generic
drugs. For example, the drug paracetamol might be sold as the original brand “panadol”
but is also available as other brands including “panamax” and “herron
paracetamol”.
In many places, generic medicines must have the same active
ingredient in the same amount as the original brand. Before you purchase
generic medicines, ask your doctor if they are safe and effective. You may
notice they differ in size, colour and taste to the original brand. They may
also have some different fillers so they are not 100% the same tablet – it
should be the drug content that is the same.
You may wonder why the generic versions are cheaper, does
this mean they are not as good? The company that invented the original
medication will have spent considerable money on creating the medication,
testing its safety and applying for patents. Once the patent runs out, other
drug companies are free to make the equivalent medication (the generic drugs)
without the costs associated with creating the original version. Hence generic
versions are cheaper.
In general, most people can safely take generic drugs.
However, the generic version may contain inactive substances that you may be
allergic to. Not all drugs have cheaper generic versions. Drugs that are not
commonly prescribed are unlikely to nor will those drugs with the original
patent still active.
As always, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if
generic brands are right for you.