“Rip-offs” and “fakes” are common in today's society and most people would be sceptical when offered the same product for a fraction of the original price.
With handbags and shoes you are prepared to take the plunge, but your health is a whole different story. Nobody wants to risk their health by taking cheap medicine.
Fortunately this is not the case with generic medicine. Strict regulations ensure that generic medicine is made according to the same “recipe” as the original, but is sold at 30% less (at least) than the price of the brand-name product.
Why is generic medicine cheaper?
Generic medicines are less expensive because they don't require the same investment cost required for the research and development of a new drug – which may total billions.
New drugs are developed under patent protection that protects the investment (including research, development, marketing and promotion) by giving the company the sole right to sell the drug while the patent is in effect - in order to recoup the money they've invested in research. Brand-name drugs are generally given patent protection for as long as 20 years from the date of submission of the patent.
When the patent of a brand-name drug expires, other drug companies can introduce competitive generic versions, but only after they have been thoroughly tested by the manufacturer and approved by the Medicines Control Council (MCC).
How is generic medicine different?
The MCC requires that a generic drug deliver the same amount of the same active ingredients into the bloodstream at the same rate – and they're very strict about this requirement. The only difference between a brand-name and a generic drug are the inactive ingredients (preservatives, colorants and compounds to hold the medicine together), which is why the colour and flavour of generic drugs and their brand-name counterparts may differ.
Lower cost, lower quality?
Generic medicines must meet the same standards of good manufacturing practice (GMP) as the original manufacturer. The (MCC) strictly prohibits manufacturing of drugs in sub-standard facilities and biannual MCC inspections are conducted to ensure GMP standard. Generic firms have facilities comparable to those of brand-name firms.
When shouldn't I use generic medicine?
The MCC recommends that substitution should not occur when prescribing and dispensing medicines which:
- Have a narrow therapeutic range;
- Have been known to show erratic intra- and inter-patient responses;
- Are contained in dosage forms that are likely to give rise to a clinically significant bioavailability problem, e.g. extended or delayed release preparations, as well as those known to be super bioavailable*;
- Are intended for the critically ill and/or geriatric and paediatric patients.
Save money with generic medicine
Generic medicine provides a less expensive way for people to obtain the medication they need. It is literally the same product in different packaging, and most importantly, at a lower price. So speak to your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about the generic options available to you. - (Health24, July 2007)
* Bioavailability is a measurement of the extent of a therapeutically active drug that reaches the systemic circulation and is available at the site of action. (Wikipedia)
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