5 Generic Products That Are Just As Good

**wombat2u2004** · 08-09-2010, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by Catty1

Prescription Drugs
In 2008, the average retail price of a brand name prescription was US $137.90

Your'e kidding me.

**pomtzu** · 08-09-2010, 06:38 AM

I go generic whenever possible, as long as the product tastes or works as it should. My docs always write scripts for generic and I buy generic OTC meds most of the time. At Walmart, a bottle of 100 Excedrin tablets is $15, and I buy the Walmart equivalent - a 2 pack bottles of 100 tabs each, for $4. The big bags of cereal in some cases taste better than the name brand - IMO. Canned veggies, soups, fruit, powdered juice mix, etc - all just as good. I do tend to stay with name brands tho on laundry detergent, and the paper products such as tp, paper towels and paper napkins. Most generics there are too linty, scratchy, and flimsy.

**pomtzu** · 08-09-2010, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by wombat2u2004

Your'e kidding me.

That's a conservative figure too.

My doc once wrote a script for me - a daily injectable med like Boniva that is used for osteoporisis. I never fill a script without first calling several pharmacies to see who is cheaper. In this case it didn't matter, because they all were right at $1000 per month! I checked some Canadian pharmacies, and most didn't carry it, but one did at around $700 per month. Guess you know that I never got the script filled!

**Queen of Poop** · 08-09-2010, 08:28 AM

I will not ever again use the generic form of Gravol (for motion sickness). Regular name brand Gravol works wonderfully for me. The generic brand doesn't agree with my carpal tunnel and makes my fingers swell. I've asked the pharmacist about this and she figured it was something in the filler that wasn't agreeing with me.

**Asiel** · 08-09-2010, 08:55 PM

Generics for groceries and cleaning products, paper products, etc. are probably fine and they are much cheaper.
But as far as prescription drugs are concerned they are not the same. They contain the same main ingredient but the generics use cheaper fillers, the tablets are compressed differently, different colourings, etc. They do not work the same as the brand name drugs. Some can cause terrible allergic reactions and land you in the hospital fast. Generics are not recommended for heart meds, some neuro drugs have adverse effects. Some generics that aren't for serious problems can be used and will be effective but for serious health problems generics are not the way to go.
When my doctor writes out my scripts he always adds "do not subsitute" at the bottom of the script.

**wombat2u2004** · 08-09-2010, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by pomtzu

That's a conservative figure too.

My doc once wrote a script for me - a daily injectable med like Boniva that is used for osteoporisis. I never fill a script without first calling several pharmacies to see who is cheaper. In this case it didn't matter, because they all were right at $1000 per month! I checked some Canadian pharmacies, and most didn't carry it, but one did at around $700 per month. Guess you know that I never got the script filled!

Geez........not a good idea to get ill in the States.

**Karen** · 08-09-2010, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by wombat2u2004

Geez........not a good idea to get ill in the States.

Those of us who have health insurance generally get away with just paying whatever the "co-pay" is, not the full price. I checked one month, and there was a $700+ difference between what I paid in copays for my medication, and what I would pay without insurance.

And yes, I get generics whenever they are available. Laura, if you have a pharmacist that you trust, he or she may be able to find out, by calling the manufacturer's reps, what the difference is between Flo-nase and the generic. I - with all my allergies - have always used the generic with no trouble. But explain to the pharmacist that it caused an anaphlactic type reaction, so finding the answer is very important.

I have a pharmacist that I really trust - if the other one is on duty, I'll wait to ask my question until the good one is in.

**wombat2u2004** · 08-09-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

Those of us who have health insurance generally get away with just paying whatever the "co-pay" is, not the full price. I checked one month, and there was a $700+ difference between what I paid in copays for my medication, and what I would pay without insurance.

But you're paying for it one way or another.....yes ???
What's the difference between a person who pays for health insurance and gets discounted meds to someone who can't afford health insurance and has to pay full price for meds ????

**pomtzu** · 08-10-2010, 06:54 AM

I am on Medicare, but do not have prescription coverage with them since that add-on is very expensive. With the few/next to none prescriptions that I take, it would be very cost inefficient for me. I have a little bit of a discount on drugs with my AARP membership, and I comparison shop, and most of the time fall into the 3 month/$10 deal that a lot of pharmacies offer.
That one for $1000 certainly wasn't the norm, and I was using that as an extreme example of drug charges. As it is, I get the Boniva quarterly I.V. (same thing as the Reclast once a year with less side effects), and since it has to be given by a doctor at an infusion center, then Medicare pays it since it is considered a treatment/procedure, and not just a prescription I can pick up at the pharmacy. That runs almost $1000 per treatment, but I never have to pay anything with Medicare and supplemental insurance.

**snakemama** · 08-12-2010, 10:57 PM

I STRONGLY disagree with the statement that prescription drugs are just as good as name brand. I was taking Lamictal for some time, I got a generic refill to save some money, and within 48 hours I was covered in hives from the soles of my feet up to my waist and arms. It was AWFUL. My doctor said afterward that he sees reactions like that frequently when people switch to generic lamictal.

**Karen** · 08-13-2010, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by wombat2u2004

But you're paying for it one way or another.....yes ???
What's the difference between a person who pays for health insurance and gets discounted meds to someone who can't afford health insurance and has to pay full price for meds ????

That's easy - an simple accident or unexpected illness can bankrupt the person without health insurance. Health insurance means doctor visits, normal care and even emergency care are all covered by a small co-pay.

**wombat2u2004** · 08-13-2010, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

That's easy - an simple accident or unexpected illness can bankrupt the person without health insurance. Health insurance means doctor visits, normal care and even emergency care are all covered by a small co-pay.

I dunno Karen.
It all seems to be a bit upside down to me, and benefits those who can afford to pay.