5 Ways to Save on Medical Costs by Going Generic
Reader Comments
Baloney
Generic drug formulations need to meet the same requirements for the amount of API (active pharmaceutical drug ingredient) as name-brand drugs. I don't know where the good doctor got the (mis)information that the API can be 20% less in a generic drug, but he (or she) is misinformed. The only way a generic could have 20% less API is if the label states that the amount is 20% less (eg 40mg vs 50mg of XYZ on the package label for the medicine).
generic drugs
My doctor just informed me that most generic prescriptions can contain 20% less of the required ingredients then the original.
It may not seem like much unless you have a serious illness, then 20% can be quite significant.
quality concerns: CVS generics
There are questions about the quality of CVS brand over-the-counter medicines, which are often produced by companies with factories in India and China that the FDA rarely inspects. For example, CVS brand non-drowsy antihistamine has been made by the Ranbaxy company of India. The FDA last year slapped an import alert on drugs made at two Ranbaxy factories with serious quality control problems.
Earlier, CVS brand acetaminophen was recalled because it contained metal fragments.CVS brand nicotine gum was recalled because it contained pieces of latex gloves. A CVS antacid/antigas liquid was recalled because it was subpotent.
Fore more information, see http://www.curecvsnow.org/index.php?id=33
