Canadian
Prescription Drugs > Frequently Asked Questions
Generic Drugs
Quality Prescription Drugs carries
a variety of Generic Drugs, Generic Equivalents Prescription
Drugs.
CHECK
PRICES OF GENERIC DRUGS, GENERIC EQUIVALENTS PRESCRIPTION
DRUGS
What’s the difference between a generic
and brand-name drug?
Not much, except for name and price. When a patent on a particular
drug expires, other companies may apply to produce a generic
version of the brand name drug.
A generic drug is a copy that is the same as
a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken,
quality, performance and intended use.
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.
In fact, most state laws require that the generic drug be
a generic equivalent to the brand name version.
What does generic equivalent mean?
This means that the generic drug must have the
same active ingredients, strength, and dosage form (ie pill,
liquid or injection), and must have the same medical effectiveness
and safety as its brand-name counterpart.
Why are generic drugs so much cheaper?
Because generic drug manufacturers do not carry
the research and development costs, they can sell their generic
equivalents at substantial discounts. Also, once a patent
expires, increased competition from other manufacturers keeps
the price down.
Today, over 40% of all prescriptions are filled
with generic prescription drugs.
How can I get generic drugs?
Talk with your doctor. Explain that you want
the most effective drug at the best price and ask your doctor
to write prescriptions for generic drugs when possible.
If your prescription is written with a specific
brand name, the pharmacist must fill that prescription with
the specified brand name drug. A generic drug may not be substituted.
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