Given the price of some brand-name drugs, it is worth your while to consider generic drugs. Generic drugs can provide a less expensive way for people to obtain the medication they need.

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In addition, it’s reassuring to know that, for the great majority of medicines, generic drugs offer the same safety and efficacy as their more expensive equivalents. There are only a few cases where the Medicines Control Council recommends that you should not substitute. The MCC requires that a generic drug deliver the same amount of the same active ingredient into the bloodstream at the same rate – and they’re very strict about this requirement.

Generic drugs may be up to 30% (and often more) cheaper than the brand-name. The SA government is pushing us into embracing more cost-effective alternatives, and some medical aids will often only pay for the cheaper drug – leaving you to pay the difference yourself if you insist on branded drugs.

Remember: it’s your choice and right to opt for a generic unless your doctor specifically specify that no substitution should be given – and even then you can challenge his decision. But always check with your doctor or pharmacist first before switching to a generic; it's important to know that a medication isn't on the 'don't substitute' list.

References:

• United States Food and Drug Administration. Generic drugs: what you need to know. [online] 2002 [cited 2007 Jul 09]. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/502_generic.html
• United States Food and Drug Administration. Savings from generic drugs purchased at retail pharmacies. [online] 2004 [cited 2007 Jul 09]. Available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/savingsfromgenericdrugs.htm
• United States Food and Drug Adminstration: Office of Generic Drugs. [online] 2007 [cited 2007 Jul 09]. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/
• SA Medicines Control Council. Guidelines on generic substitution. Government Gazette 2003;25145:183-5.
   

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