Q: Why should I use a generic over a brand name drug?
As consumers, we may be suspicious of generic products, but for
medications, it's a different story. A generic drug is chemically identical to its brand name counterpart.
The FDA goes through the same approval process for generic medication as it does for brand name drugs. The
generic drug manufacturer has to prove that the drug is the "bioequivalent" of the brand name drug and provides
the same results. Generic drugs are usually sold at a price 20-80% less than the brand name product. On most
plans, you have the choice to continue to use a brand name medication, but your co-payment will reflect a
greater share of the cost.
