Publications
Partners
Some OTCs may contain as many carbs as a snack.
iStock
Rather than being too intimidated to ask your doctor or pharmacist about generic drugs, you can help ensure your health by asking him or her a couple of direct questions. It’s very likely that generic drugs prescribed by your GP and dispensed by your pharmacist do the same job as the more expensive patent drugs. But you can help make sure by asking him or her to check whether the drug has the bio-equivalency of the patent drug.
When professionals dispense the drugs they need to be sure not only of dosage, but also of absorption rates and other factors affecting its efficiency.
When deciding which medication will be the most cost-effective, follow these tips.
- You should examine the total cost of your medication before making a decision. You might find that while brand A is cheaper by the unit, you have to take more of it, or take in for longer.
- You may also find that you have to supplement your dosage with other medication. It’s also worth asking your doctor about each drug’s recovery rates and side effects.
Remember, you have the right to ask advice and to reassure yourself that you’re taking the medication that’s right for you.
(Health24, April 2004)
