Generic Medicines: Are Good Or Bad For You?
According to the World Health Organization, each year, around 100 million people are pushed towards poverty owing to the global “catastrophic health expenditure”. People face financial difficulties due to medical payments in low-income countries. Non-generic medications are comparatively expensive and a large number of people cannot afford them. Generic medicines, on the other hand, are equal to brand-name non-generic medicines in terms of therapeutic benefits but are available at a lower price. Generic medicines help cut medical costs to a great extent. Some of These medicines cost one-third of what non-generic medicines cost. Most people are unaware of the benefits of generic medicines. Below are a few pros and cons of generic medicines that we have discussed to help clear your doubts regarding generic medicines-
Pros:
Let us look at the reasons why generic medicines must be used and sold more widely:
Cheaper prices – Generic medicines are typically a more affordable alternative to non-generic medicines. Some non-generic medicine manufacturers charge customers higher prices to cover research and patent protection costs which generic medicine manufacturers do not have to. Non-generic medicine manufacturers spend huge amounts of money on innovating and marketing new medicines, whereas generic medicine manufacturers rarely spend any money on advertising and marketing; they are basically copies of their non-generic medicine counterparts and are capable of keeping their costs low.
Safety – When a generic medicine manufacturer submits an application for a license to sell the medicine, it has to undergo a thorough examination and testing and the manufacturing facilities are closely evaluated to ensure that every generic medicine is safe and of high quality. Generic medicines undergo a rigorous review to ensure their safety.
Bioequivalent – Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as non-generic medicines and have the same risks and effectiveness. Generic medicines offer equally high-quality and effective treatment as non-generic medicines but at much lower prices.
Economic benefits – Generic medicines ensure equal access to healthcare for all. The generic medicines industry provides cost-effective treatments for a large range of health conditions; they also engage in innovation and open up major opportunities for export.
Better patient compliance– Some people who had to discontinue their treatment due to a lack of money can now afford to continue their treatment with generic medicines.
Cons:
Hesitation among people – Many people have doubts related to the quality of generic medicines and hence hesitate to purchase them. You can rest assured about the quality by purchasing generic medicines from government set outlets of janaushadhi or by choosing to buy generics manufactured from trusted brands Difference in opinion – Many doctors remain divided on this, while some are in favour of the use of generic medicines, some of them are not. Certain medications, including thyroid supplements and blood thinners, show evidence of clinically meaningful problems when switching between non-generic and generic or different generic medicine manufacturers.
Availability – All non-generic medicines may not have generic medicine alternatives. Some brands continue to hold patents to produce and market non-generic medicine. You can ask your doctor or the pharmacist to help you identify whether your non-generic medicine has any “therapeutic equivalent” versions.
Sustainability – Many pharmaceutical companies have combined both originator and generic divisions. However, the generic medicines industry faces a number of challenges, like delayed market access, pressure on price reduction and the negative perception regarding generic medicines held by some key stakeholder groups. The long-term sustainability of the generic medicine manufacturing industry is questionable. Therefore, the government is focusing on this and under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), generic medicines are made available to the public.
Conclusion
It has not been proven that non-generic medicine is better than generic medicine. If a patient can save money and benefit from the reduction in health care costs, generic medicines can be a great choice. You can switch on to the generic formulation, even after using non-generic medicines without any ill effects. However, it is best to discuss this with your physician and let him or her help you, keeping in mind your health condition.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
