My new "generic" doesn't work, I've been up all night, and Wellpoint won't pay for the real thing

[Nikki Stone1]

Even if my doctor writes a note.

THIS is what Congress is forcing everyone to buy. By law. This crappy crappy product.

The poor guy from the call center in the Philippines had no idea how awful his little pronouncement was on Christmas morning. I asked him where his health care came from and he said the company provided it.

WHY ARE OUR TAX DOLLARS GOING TO THIS?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dkf]

4. I hate unrecs.

Love upping the recs just to defeat these head in the sanders.

[elocs]

83. Well, those who UnRec sure do appreciate your pointing out their activity.

Remember the old internet adage: Don't Feed the Trolls!

Funny, in spite of complaining about the thread getting UnRecs 5 minutes after it was posted it somehow managed to now get 74 Recs and make the Front page.

[Mari333]

15. lol and +100000

knr

[TexasObserver]

21. Unrec because this kind of post should not be on the Greatest page.

If you'd simply stuck with your OP, you'd have been fine, but your need to attack those who simply unrec a thread you authored puts this in the category of threads that belong in the dumpster.

Next time, don't complain about the unrecs and don't make personal attacks on those who use it.

[defendandprotect]

29. Or else?

[SoCalDem]

33. The Un-reccers come to your house and beat you with a holly branch

(D)Uggo at home

[dkf]

2. A friend of mine mentioned to me that he understands Bush lowered the purity of the filler content

in generics. This is unnerving his wife who now thinks generics are unsafe.

I found this highly ironic considering we don't allow reimportation of drugs from Canada just for this sort of reason.

Funny.

[AP]

8. I'd be surprised if Bush made it easier for generics to lower production costs

And compete on price with big pharmas.

But could be wrong. Have a cite?

[dkf]

20. It looks like ONLY active ingredients need to be identical.

But the fillers and the time delivery systems don't have to be.

This is a very interesting article...

Bad bargain

All of us want cheaper medicine—but not if it costs us our health. Troubling reactions and a series of recalls are making some doctors wonder, Are generic drugs as safe as the FDA says they are? SELF investigates.
By Katherine Eban
From the June 2009 Issue

http://www.self.com/health/2009/06/dangers-of-generic-drugs?currentPage=1

I'm not sure if Bush DID anything, but the international generic market exploded under his watch and it looks like inspections of plants were very lax to non-existent. After seeing what China does to pet food and dry wall I'm not very confident.

Also, it looks like the active ingredients are moving to production in these foreign countries.

http://www.house.gov/dingell/pdf/080407itnCQ.pdf

Many public health experts say that is overdue
at a time when China and India produce nearly
40 percent of the active ingredients in drugs
consumed in the United States. Many of the
substances are found in generic versions of
name-brand products, ranging from antibiotics
to asthma drugs.

In the case of China, the FDA acknowledges
that regulators there do not inspect plants that
produce drugs exclusively for export, meaning
the agency’s initial evaluation often amounts to
the last check.
....
The FDA estimates that there are 566 plants in China making drugs or drug ingredients that
are consumed in the United States. In fiscal 2006, the agency inspected 17 of those
establishments. The Government Accountability Office, which issued three reports in late
2007 critical of the FDA’s oversight, estimates that at that pace, it would take the FDA 13
years to perform at least one inspection of every foreign plant it is aware of.

Consider that Deerfield, Ill.-based Baxter International obtained much of heparin’s primary
ingredient from four Chinese manufacturers. The raw product is then shipped to processing
plants, where it’s converted into a sodium solution that can be injected into patients. (Heparin
is administered in large doses to hundreds of thousands of patients with kidney disease while
they undergo dialysis.) But instead of the pure heparin the company thought it was getting, the
tainted batches contained a heparin-like substance, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, which is
extracted from cow and pig tissue and could have been added as an inexpensive filler to boost
the volume of the drug being provided to Baxter.

[Liberty Belle]

51. I can't take generic thyroid meds; I get a ringing in the ears and heart palpitations

from a reaction to a filler. This is a common problem. Why not suggest to Pelosi that the House Conference committee add language requiring that an insurance company carry a generic if a doctor provides a note confirming the patient had a reaction or is allergic to an ingredient in a generic?

[napi21]

10. I don't believe that claim at all! I've worked with several

"ethical drug houses" and ALL drugs are made under the same standards and testing. Here's a clip from the FDA.

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/BioterrorismandDrugPreparedness/ucm134451.htm

Q: Are generic drugs as safe as brand-name drugs?
A: Yes. The FDA requires that all drugs be safe and effective. Since generics use the same active ingredients and are shown to work the same way in the body, they have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts.

Q: Are generic drugs as strong as brand-name drugs?
A: Yes. The FDA requires generic drugs to have the same quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs.

Q: Do generic drugs take longer to work in the body?
A: No. Generic drugs work in the same way and in the same amount of time as brand-name drugs.

Q: Why are generic drugs less expensive?
A: Generic drugs are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have the investment costs of the developer of a new drug. New drugs are developed under patent protection. The patent protects the investment--including research, development, marketing, and promotion--by giving the company the sole right to sell the drug while it is in effect. As patents near expiration, other manufacturers can apply to the FDA to sell generic versions. Because those manufacturers don't have the same development costs, they can sell their product at substantial discounts. Also, once generic drugs are approved, there is greater competition, which keeps the price down. Today, almost half of all prescriptions are filled with generic drugs.

[dkf]

22. Labels to look out for

http://www.self.com/health/2009/06/labels-to-look-out-for

[sweetloukillbot]

32. I've taken two of the drugs mentioned on that list...

Had no problems with metropolol for my BP, but the generic Ambien knocked me out immediately, but then I woke up 4 hours later and had trouble sleeping.

My wife is currently having problems w/ Effexor vs generic - she is prescribed extended release which is not available generic in the US and is not covered by insurance ($40 for a weeks worth). She can get the generic non-extended release which has some strange effects as it releases (nausea, hot flashes and the need for a power nap).

[gleaner]

49. Ambien itself ....

is one of a class of new sleeping pills that is designed to work quickly and then let you wake up later alert. It is not for the kind of insomnia where you can fall asleep and then wake up and have trouble going back to sleep. I use one of the older sleeping pills based on Dalmane which was designed to let you sleep for through the night but not be quickly addictive. I believe the tolerance point (where you need more to get the same effect) is 12 days.

My doctor advised against Ambien for both me and my husband. He gave my husband Ativan which is a short term anti anxiety medication which does help him sleep without the nightmares he was having after he got out of the hospital. the Florazepam (Dalmane, name brand no longer available) lets me sleep lightly and wake up several times a night to check on my husband who often needs care in the night.

You might want to change the type of sleeping pill you use to a different class of drug. Talk to a doctor you trust or do some research until you find something that helps you. I don't know anything about what your wife is taking though, sorry.

[Liberal In Texas]

59. Metoprolo? Real name Lopressor?

That's what I've had a problem with. I CAN NOT take the generic. And they keep changing the country of origin and the configuration of the pills. (I know this because I have to keep sending back the generic when they send it to me.)

It does not work for me, and I can't afford to have my BP go sky-high.

[Christa]

85. Chilling article you posted.

Thank you.

[JoeyT]

44. Read the first answer carefully.

The operative words are "active ingredients". The inert/fillers can be different. The time release mechanism can be different. The coating can be different. Anything that isn't "active ingredient" can be different. For example, the only requirement for the .5mg Xanax generic is that it has exactly .5mg of alprazolam. Absolutely everything else can be different.

Fillers, inert, and time release have all been shown to alter how drugs are absorbed. Especially the rate of absorption, though sometimes even the amount absorbed is altered. There was one generic that actually had a different half-life because one of the inert ingredients altered how the body metabolized the active ingredient, but I can't remember the drug or find the study. :/ (It was an SSRI, if I remember right.)
Sometimes generics work better for some people than the name brand stuff. Usually it's the generics that have a problem.

[WorkingClassDemocrat]

71. I'm not sure what state you are in

In most states a pharmacist is not allowed to dispense a time release formulation as a substitute for a non time release and vsa versa. Variations in inert ingredients are allowed, but the FDA is supposed to verify adsorption rates. Most of the people on this post are giving anecdotal information, and all of it may be factual. However, even the brand names don't work for everyone. That is why you need to follow up with your doctor if there is a problem. After 40 years as a pharmacist and 30 years of actively using pharmaceutical substitution I can assure you that the vast majority of generics have worked just fine. The increasing use of third world countries to produce the pharmaceuticals is troubling. It is my understanding that even the brand name products are often manufactured in foreign countries.

[Cetacea]

48. I do. There is at least one case I know of where a time released

medication released too it's chemicals too quickly. A lot of people have complained about it.

[katkat]

53. napi21

yeah, I believe that, Not. My cardiologist doesn't allow his patients to take a generic for a particular beta blocker because his patients have had adverse reactions to it. The NYTimes did an article on generics in the last week or so that particularly called out several generics, including that one, as deficient.

[Liberal In Texas]

55. They can claim that all they want. I can tell you from personal experience

that there is a generic I tried to take for blood pressure control that didn't work and I can't take it to this day. The brand name works fine. I play hell with the Rx distributor to not call my doc and request a change to generic. Every Rx I have written says "dispense as written" and they still call to change it. I have a problem with the doc's office because the last time I found out an office manager OKed the change to generic over the phone! WTF and office manager? What kind of med degree does he/she have?

Generics are frequently made offshore. Like in India or Malaysia and do not have the same quality control we have in the states. They can vary greatly even from on pill to the next. I can get by with a generic for Zantac for my stomach, but for a complicated drug it can actually be fatal.

[WorkingClassDemocrat]

72. Brand names are also made off shore

And have been for decades.

[elleng]

62. Sounds like FDA is going to have to reconsider its rules/standards,

considering many comments here.

We should find some congresscritters willing to take this up ASAP.

[Mojorabbit]

77. My personal experience says it is not so

There are two meds I am on that I only get brand name meds as the generic did not work as proven by my blood tests after the change.

[laughingliberal]

78. Most generics are equivalent in effectiveness to the brand name version but there are exceptions

There always have been and, as a nurse, there were a few that were well known to us. Generic options are a great way to lower prescription costs but there are cases where the generic is not as effective and there are cases where some people do not respond as well to a generic.

[Obamanaut]

3. Many of us are unhappy with the things our elected officials are doing.

Are we unhappy enough to vote any of them out in 2010, or will the incumbents be retained as usual?

It usually turns out to be "vote for the name you know" and then we wonder why nothing seems to change.

[Nikki Stone1]

5. Right now, considering how sick I feel, I would happily vomit on all of them

Then vote them out of office.

[Jamastiene]

34. That sounds like what I do just about every general election.

Then again, I have extreme anxiety and hate to leave the house. I trudge on out there, hold my nose, try not to pass out from the nausea and vote anyhow though.

They should just manufacture nose pins in the shape of donkeys and elephants at this point. I don't think any of us are being represented any more.

[Nikki Stone1]

75. The progressive voting method

I love it.

[napi21]

6. Has your Doc contacted WellPoint? I've had 2 diff. ins. co's

and both insisted on generic meds, but if you tried the generic & it didn't work for you, the Doc. would contact the ins co and they would suthorize the name brand. We had both BCBS & Humana and both operated that way. The name brand DID cost a lot more, and the authorization had to be renewed every 3 years.

[Nikki Stone1]

7. What good is the name brand if you can't afford it?

What good is the authorization if you can't afford the difference? I couldn't even if they allowed it.

[napi21]

11. Is this something you take all the time? If so, contact the

maufacturer and explain your situation. Many of them will give you a special deal if you can't afford their product.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[napi21]

16. I'm not apologizing for anyone. I just made a suggestion to

help you.

[DisgustedInMN]

19. Thanks for highlighting EXACTLY ...

... what makes the scam aka HCR ala Obama, a betrayal of what he PRETENDED to stand for.

[Dappleganger]

27. Sheesh.

The poster was only trying to help yet you cling to your cynicism as if it is your birthright. If you really want HELP then at least prop your mind open for a few seconds.

[DisgustedInMN]

28. Go ahead and be grateful for the crumbs that fall your way..

.. if that pleases you.

I'm pissed. I HATE being lied to. I HATE it even more when it's done by those I thought I shared a philosophy with. You bet your ass I'm cynical...

.. do you need a clue as to why?

[Louisiana1976]

89. I'm poor and uninsured and get name-brand prescription drugs I need free from the companies

through their special programs.

[AP]

9. In your case do you know what the differnce was between the generic and the brand name?

[katkat]

54. UHC sucks

United Healthcare will not approve brands, in my experience, if a generic is available. My cardiologist wasted a lot of his staff's time trying to get them to.

[geckosfeet]

12. Lowest bid contracts. Typical government mo.

[Little Star]

13. I've had "generics" that didn't work.

Sorry you are suffering NikkiStone1. Hope you get some relief soon.

[Frances]

18. Hope when your anger subsides

that you take advantage of the positive suggestions offered by DUers to alleviate the problem.

[Little Star]

35. Huh???? i'm not angry.

[Jamastiene]

37. You must have replied to the wrong poster by mistake.

The post you replied to did not sound angry at all.

[Frances]

46. I meant to reply to Nikkistone

Sorry about the mistake

[glinda]

41. husband had a regular prescription that one of the pills was a dud.

[Vinca]

17. Try calling the drug manufacturer and begging.

That's what we're left with. Jars on the convenience store counter collecting money for medical care. I still expect to see them after our "reform" takes place, only they'll be there to collect money for insurance premiums.

[TicketyBoo]

80. No convenience store

has a big enough counter for THAT to happen.

[sharp_stick]

23. Yeah cause the

status quo is just so fucking fine aint it.

Unrec just because it seems to piss you off.

[kestrel91316]

24. I have not read the entire 2000 pages. Are you sure medications are not

addressed anywhere in it?

Threaten to sue your insurance company for unlicensed practice of medicine and malpractice. Maybe THAT will wake them up.

[katkat]

73. kestrel

Re: "Threaten to sue your insurance company for unlicensed practice of medicine and malpractice. Maybe THAT will wake them up."

Yeah, with our vast financial resources, we should hire a lawyer for a case that would drag out for years and we'd still lose, because the insurance companies have house docs. Of course, if you could afford a lawyer. the cost of prescription meds would be invisible to you.

[SoCalDem]

25. Are you close to Canada or Mexico? got friends who are?

Perhaps they could get your meds for you and send them to you..

Sad isn;t it?

[Better Today]

26. Even the "good" ones don't work all the time without fail.

Insomnia is tricky. I don't take any meds and live with my dysfunctions because of the sideffects and the inconsistency with success that I experienced back in the day when I allowed myself to be prescribed about 10 daily pills.

Needless to say, I didn't start with ten, but it soon became ten as one after another was instigated to overcome the side effects of the others.

I sincerely hope you can find a way to overcome your anger about not sleeping to enjoy the day.

[Ruby the Liberal]

30. I don't know how ethical this is, but alls fair when dealing with insurance, IMO

I had an allergic reaction to a generic once. My Doc said it was likely the dye they used as it was a different color from the original.

Insurance didn't want to pay for the real deal, until I told them about the reaction. Because it was allergy-related, they covered the original.

Worth a try maybe?

[truedelphi]

45. That is a good suggesstion.

Hopefully the tabs that Nikki is using have a coloring to them, and then she can say, Oh My Gosh, I am allergic to ____" Blue or green or pink or wahtever the color of the tabs are.

[Triana]

31. Same thing they did to my Mom....Kaiser Permenente Medicare "Advantage"

program. They took her off the breathing med that works and put her on some generic crap. They won't pay for the stuff that WORKS. But she SUPPORTS the new healthcare bill. She's 82. I love her but she's lost her perspective. She thinks this is going to help her. It's NOT.

[Jamastiene]

36. (Off Topic)

:hi: I hope you are having a nice holiday. :hug:

(Fellow MJ fan)

[TicketyBoo]

81. I want nothing to do

with a Medicare DISadvantage plan!

Those plans take a public program (Medicare) and turn it back over to the private insurance companies. This was a quiet, kind of swept-under-the-rug deal that was a huge payoff to the insurance companies. Medicare Part B premiums go directly to the insurance companies instead of helping to fund Medicare. Putting the word "Advantage" in the name of these plans was a marketing ploy. Once you're signed up for one of these plans, they can change the drugs they cover each year, and it takes some doing to figure out which plan you need to switch to that will better cover your prescription needs.

[musette_sf]

38. I agree with you that there is a very real problem with generics

1. The active ingredient percentage for a generic can be as low as 85% of the name-brand drug.

2. Some generic drugs use a reverse-engineered molecule of the active ingredient. I've read studies on generics of a particular SSRI that use a reverse-engineered molecule and have NO efficacy in many patients.

3. The binders and excipients of a generic do not have to be equivalent to those of the name-brand drug. This can impact the release of the active ingredient.

Generics are sourced from SO many places right now at ever-lower cost, that even if you find a generic that works for you, the next time you go back to the pharmacy you'll be given a completely different generic that DOESN'T work.

I'm not supposed to order drugs from overseas myself to try and save some money... because those drugs from overseas just CAN'T be safe...

but my local pharmacy can dispense me a generic made overseas... that DOESN'T work... and that's okay.

[cutlassmama]

50. yep

[Ladyhawk]

52. Wow. Can you point me to a URL.

I'm taking a LOT of generic drugs. I'm not receiving benefits, but I thought it was simply drug failure. Probably, it is.

[musette_sf]

57. NYT had a good article last week

It's making me log in to read it, so here it is on the newsgroup soc.seniors.issues:

http://groups.google.com/group/soc.senior.issues/browse_thread/thread/88285d9dd1a941a2/9561fa6a58f146c5?lnk=raot

I erred, the active ingredient need only be at an 80% percentage in a generic.

The Times also has some conversation on the topic on their Well blog:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/are-you-confident-in-generic-drugs/?scp=3&sq=generics&st=cse

[Ms. Toad]

60. Sorry - but some of what you are saying is not accurate.

1. Generic drugs must be the same strength as the name brand. (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/EmergencyPreparedness/BioterrorismandDrugPreparedness/ucm134451.htm)

2. Generic drugs are drugs which are manufactured by someone other than the patent owner (or in some cases even by the patent owner, and marketed under a different name or by a competitor). They are not reverse engineered. The original inventor is granted a monoply for around 17 years (a patent) - the price for that monopoly is that they must teach the world how to make their invention patent application, which is a public document. You don't get a patent for a drug without providing the details to your competitors, so there is no need to reverse engineer. (The alternative to a patent is to try to keep your product a trade secret - which would require reverse engineering by competitors - but the FDA testing requires enough disclosure that it is not a practical alternative for drugs.)

3. Generic drugs are required to be biochemically equivalent to the name brand. That includes anything that impacts how the body uses the active ingredients - it does not include inactive ingredients which do not impact bioavailability of the active ingredient. For example, if a medication is designed to be split by a patient (scored pills), the generics must undergo the same testing as the name brand to ensure the distribution of active ingredient is even between the separately scored portions of the pill. Similarly, if the binders and excipients impact the availability (completeness, timing, etc.) of the active ingredient it should not be approved as a generic equivalent. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDER/ucm119100.htm .

That said, the system isn't perfect. There are arguments, for example, about how to measure the bioequivalence. A drug my daughter takes is intended to be delivered directly to her colon with virtually no absorption. The patent holder contends that the FDA's plan for measuring the bioequivalence of its hopeful competitors does not test the proper thing and will permit greater absorption than is safe. The patent holder just lost, and when the generic hits the market we will see whether they were correct - or merely trying to unfairly extend their monopoly.

There are some drugs which are have known issues as generics (someone posted a link above - as to why those made it through the bioequivalence testing = like I said, the system isn't perfect - but there are no deliberate sub-par standards for generics). Another drug known to have generic issues which I didn't see on the list was warfarin (brand name Coumadin). Any of the many generics are a fine substitute - but the dosage is so tricky (and the drug interacts with so many things - potentially including the inactive ingredients) that switching from one to another midstream needs to be monitored carefully. Most doctors advise against a switch (but none of the half dozen who have monitored me on this drug have expressed any concern about any of the generics - as long as I didn't switch mid treatment (and I was on several over the various periods I was on the drug)).

Finally, from some of the comments above, I suspect some of the issues are not about generics but formularies. Many (most) insurance companies now have formularies - lists of drugs which are approved for use for particular conditions. If you were taking one drug, and it was dropped from your formulary (or you switched insurance plans to one with a different formulary), your doc will need to prescribe a different one. It does not have to be chemically equivalent at all (not even 85%) or could be the same active ingredient but delivered differently (time release v. not time released - when Clariten was prescription we ran into that issue - the melt in your mouth tabs were not formulary, but the time release were. The former worked better for my daughter, but the insurance company wouldn't pay for it because it was not on the formulary.

Generic drugs go through the same quality testing as name brands, and are generally good (and cheaper) alternatives to the name brand - our family has been using them long before they were mandated by the insurance company.

I'm not so fond of formularies, though, which do interfere with doctor's independent ability to decide the best treatment options. Although we have not had any serious health issues as a result of being denied access to an off - formulary drug, we are currently paying the off-formulary price for one drug for which there is no equivalent on the formulary (and we tried all the suggested formulary "equivalents." None are treatment equivalents. If we did not have a plan that permitted us to get off-formulary drugs for a higher co-pay we might well have serious medical health issues.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

87. Based on what you say, Nikki should be able to SUE the manufacturer, yes? -nt

[Ms. Toad]

90. Not necessarily.

My point was primarily that there are no rules that let manufacturers deliberately meet lesser/different standards for generic products as opposed to the standards they would need to meet if they were the brand name manufacturer. If what she was given as a generic is different from what the FDA approved for that drug then she would probably have a good case - but that would be a very unlikely scenario.

[Nikki Stone1]

39. .

.

[quiller4]

40. I have Wellpoint and I need the brand for one prescription - my Doc

has a Wellpoint form he fills out online and then I have no problem.

[Odin2005]

42. K&R!!!

[Odin2005]

43. I had the same problem with generic Ritalin when I was a kid.

Fortunately I was able to get brand-name Ritalin.

[treestar]

47. This one incident means anything?

No system is perfect.

Generics are the same drug. They are cheaper. It's not a question of fake vs. real.

[Digit]

56. Do some research online to see if others had the same issue

I had taken a certain pain medication before and it had worked fine. Years later, I once again was prescribed the same thing and had it filled at a large grocery chain. It did not work AT ALL.
I first thought that maybe the pills were counterfeit or defective and complained to the pharmacist after the first dose, but was told they were non-returnable.

After doing some research online, I found others complaining about the efficacy of this generic pain med made by the same MANUFACTURER as what I had. Further research seemed to show that Watson brand had less complaints.
I was nervous to have the same thing happen, so I changed pharmacies. I had my new script filled at Walgreens a month later and didn't have anymore problems. Yes, the new pills turned out to be Watson.
If I had needed to have brand-name, I would have needed to pay out of pocket.

[glowing]

84. my hubby does the same thing with his muscle relaxers.. if they are not the Watson

brand, they don't work for crap. So, he has some medication he fills at CVS and other's at Wallgreens.

[TheWebHead]

58. I'm glad Wellpoint requires the use of generics

Where available. They're pharmacologically equivalent to name brands and save the system money.

[Liberal In Texas]

61. Not always. Read above. n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

63. Yeah, I'm not buying it.

It's the exact same drug.

Probably psychosomatic. At most.

[Liberal In Texas]

66. Read the damn thread. It is NOT the exact same drug.

And my blood pressure is not psychosomatic.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

67. Yeah, I've read that.

People claiming that are full of shit too.

It's the same drug.

"And my blood pressure is not psychosomatic."

Right now, I'm betting it probably is.

[Liberal In Texas]

68. I gotta tell you, asshole. It is NOT PSYCHOMATIC.

I AND OTHERS are living proof.

Now go away.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

69. I'll refer you to post number 63.

[Liberal In Texas]

74. I refer you to post number 68, How do you like the round robin? n/t

[katkat]

76. HiFructosePronSyrup

I love these posts where someone who has no experience whatsoever with the medical problem and is not a medical professional has no hesitation whatsoever about shooting his arrogant mouth off.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

88. Or the generic medication manufacturer is breaking the law. -nt

[newtothegame]

64. WTF? Weren't we just saying Big Pharma is unecessary and evil and all that?

But now we're saying money (and lots of government money if indeed we all moved to Medicare) should go to them? WTF?

[Liberal In Texas]

65. The government is allowing corporations to produce these generics

off shore with no quality control. This has been going on for a long time. Yes, the generic alternative is, ideally what we should be able to have. But it has to be regulated closely. This is what we trust our regulatory agencies to do.

It's almost ironic that the Repuke argument for not importing cheaper drugs from Canada is because they can't guarantee that they'll be up the the standards of US pharmaceuticals. When in fact, they allow sub-standard generics produced off-shore into the country all the time.

[Liberal In Texas]

70. Ever heard of rugulation? That's the point.

We have a weak regulatory system when it comes to generics.

Geesh.

[tavalon]

79. Had the same problem with my generic

I always believed the line that generics were basically the same, but no more. Some generics are crap. I read Medco the riot act and got the run around from them, but the next time, I got a different generic and this one is fine.

[panzerfaust]

82. most generics work for most people most of the time

Others, most commonly thyroid medications, digitalis preparations, some antibiotics and anti-seizure medications, do not - generally because of changed bioavailability resulting from unanticipated interactions between the active molecules and those in the binder. These interactions often become more important as the preparation gets older (please, do NOT store your medications in the "medicine cabinet" in the hot and humid bathroom, this makes them age faster).

Not that long ago your physician had to check a box on the prescription if a generic was allowed to be substituted (as pharmacists had taken to always substituting - in many cases while still charging the same price), then it became the case that one had to check a box to NOT allow substitution. Now, the boxes have disappeared & you get what your "health" plan allows.

[NorthCarolina]

86. The exclusive purpose of your insurance company isn't "Compassion", it's "Profit" nt

[AVID]

91. generics work in 99.9% of patients...talk to your provider (don't feed big Pharma)