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Generic vs Brand Name Drugs: The Cost
8 Jan 2016tags
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Comments
Boogs_Za January 8, 2016 at 14:36
My friends in the medical fraternity tell me that there is a difference between ‘generic’ and ‘clone’ drugs. Clone drugs come out the exact same facility (i.e. Are the exact same drug) but are priced lower/branded differently, whereas generics are not necessarily the exact same drug (but are made with the same components). What I know about medicine could be considered dangerous at best…
ReplyRena January 8, 2016 at 17:47
The active ingredient may be the same but sometimes it is a different salt, which changes the pharmacodynamics. In SA, the MCC (FDA equivalent) requires 80% equivalence for generics. And generic antibiotic use is associated with treatment failure and development of resistance which has global implications. Unfortunately you get what you pay for in South Africa.
ReplyRena January 8, 2016 at 17:50
Treatment failure requires another (or more!) doctor visit with more meds and can end up costing far more than if the original were prescribed in the first place. Applies specifically to antibiotics though!!
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