Every medicine ( drug ) has a generic name for the active ingredient approved by an “ expert “ committee.
It often also has one or more brand ( trade ) names, which can be confusing.
Most ( ¾ ) prescribed drugs in the UK and USA, for example, are generic. This is encouraged as it allows any suitable product to be dispensed, saving delay to the patient and expense to the health service, because they’re cheaper.
In the first few years after a drug is available it’s usually marketed as a brand, protected by a patent ( exclusive right ) which allows the pharmaceutical company to make a profit. In the UK a patent may last 20 years – it may only be in the last few that the medicine can be sold at a profit ( after it has been licensed and shown to be safe ).
There are for example many branded versions of ibuprofen ( " Nurofen ", " Hedex " ) but it’s also sold as ibuprofen – cheaper and just as safe – by Boots and Tescos. " Calpol " is also available in cheaper forms. Generic versions of " Viagra " ( sildenafil ) are becoming available as the patent held by Pfizer has expired this year.
A FEW medicines need to be prescribed by the brand name because the inactive ingredients do affect the action of the main medicine. Your doctor / pharmacist should be able to advise. Be careful when buying over the internet ( or of course in pubs / nightclubs ) !
The big drug companies " need " to make a profit for shareholders, research and development. They may also offer access schemes for branded medicines in poor countries. If drug companies are not granted patents ( as in India recently ) they may pull out of supplying medicines.
Genuine generics save money and lives!
In the Philippines most ( ¾ ) drugs sold are branded. As I understand it, not only the public but also physicians are suspicious of generic drugs ( despite the Generic Drugs Act of 1988 ). Expensive brand name drugs are often preferred, encouraged by drug company sales reps, and bought by the public if they can afford them. They’re often wasting money !
It has to be said, however, that if “ generic “ drugs are not genuine they can have serious side effects, increase drug resistance, or simply not work.
Counterfeit drugs are a growing global threat. Antibiotics, cancer treatments, and “ Viagra “ are all culprits. Poor quality antimalarial drugs threaten vulnerable populations in South East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa - up to a third around the world may be fake. Malaria is a diminishing problem in the Philippines, but TB is still serious and the right treatment essential.
By all means look for the cheapest available “ generic “ drugs – but be careful, cautious, and aware of fakes!
http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story034/en/#
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Medicin...dgenerics.aspx
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/brand_generic.htm
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Gene...Medicines.htm#
http://myphilippinelife.com/philippine-generic-drugs/
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/ind...nded-medicines
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