Do You Pay More for Branded Medicine?

Trying2SaveABuck on 15/03/2021 - 15:15
Last edited 15/03/2021 - 15:19

I will never understand how 100 tablets of Panadol can cost ~$13 when 100 tables of Panamax can cost you ~$3 when they both have the same active ingredient of 500mg of paracetamol?

Other than if you have an issue swallowing tables and might need a ‘special coating/drinkable version/kids version’ to make it easier to swallow why do people pay premium for medicines when the active ingredient in the generic is the same?

Am I missing something? or is it just great marketing making people think the branded stuff is better?

Poll Options

  • 43
    Branded stuff is better
  • 502
    Generic is the same stuff as the branded stuff
Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Hybroid on 15/03/2021 - 15:20
    +11

    It's marketing & brand recognition that reinforces perceptions i.e. "Panadol feels safer option/more effective than Coles own-brand so might as well get that one."

    There was a whole study done on "period pain" meds that turned out to be the exact same as generic painkiller, just marketed towards women in pain.

    To be fair, there's plenty of dodgy/unknown options on the market so people don't mind paying more for that "safe bet" or one that "always works for me".

    • bmxr on 15/03/2021 - 16:30
      +28

      By "study" you mean court case?

      https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/court-finds-nurofen-ma…

      "In proceedings commenced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Federal Court has found that Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd (Reckitt Benckiser) engaged in misleading conduct in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law by representing that its Nurofen Specific Pain products were each formulated to treat a specific type of pain, when the products are identical"

      The Nurofen Specific Pain product range consists of Nurofen Back Pain, Nurofen Period Pain, Nurofen Migraine Pain and Nurofen Tension Headache.

      • jjjaar on 15/03/2021 - 17:59
        +43

        I worked at colesworth many years ago and had a customer ask me the difference between period pain nurofen and normal. I looked at the packets, said “nothing is different, but the period pain one says “period pain” and costs more” and she bought the period pain one….

          • jjjaar on 15/03/2021 - 21:06
            +10

            @WreckTangle: I mean, we see everything you buy anyway, including the period items, so it’s really nothing.

          • ozbjunkie on 16/03/2021 - 09:43
            +43

            @WreckTangle: The information being 'i am a mature female who menstruates'?

            What's next. Shame asking where the bathroom is in the pub. What are you going to do in there you sicko?

          • Deals For Days on 17/03/2021 - 14:37
            +9

            @WreckTangle: Hate to break it to you mate but about 50% of the population have menstruated in their life….

            • macrocephalic on 18/03/2021 - 18:15
              -3

              @Deals For Days: Probably a lot less actually. The average ago of a person in Australia is about 30. The median age of people worldwide is apparently 29.6. Assuming that women (~50%) start menstruating at about 13, then that would mean that only about 27% of the population has menstruated in their life.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2021 - 08:48

          the marketing team earnt their dollar that day…….. of course until the court case, im sure that cost a lot

          hopefully they learnt a lesson that marketing or commercial people shouldn't have a say in branding of medicines

          • Bunnyburger on 18/03/2021 - 01:01
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Nah it only costs a lot in the USA. Aussie fines are always like a slap on the wrist.

      • Budju on 19/03/2021 - 03:09

        Well they did study the test results

      • CMH on 16/03/2021 - 13:31
        +13

        Most of the time people may choose to have the branded medications if they pay the price difference between branded and generic.

        Generic medications cost $6.60 (this year, max $1 discount) for concession, and if they opt for branded then the difference is added to this price.

        Same goes for people without concession, $41.30 (max for PBS listed medications) this year and then difference added.

        The taxpayer isn't paying any extra for them to pick their favourite brands.

        edit: you have no idea how much this "pay the difference" thing is a headache for me. Many people wrongly assume they pay the same regardless of brand and turn into total Karens. The pharmacy has NO CONTROL over this price and it is exactly the same whichever pharmacy you go to.

        • Seraphin7 on 17/03/2021 - 10:27
          +2

          Give the Karens a sharp, "NO DRUGS FOR YOU!!!" and snatch the packet off them.

          They'll settle down pretty quickly when they realise they're not going to get their taxpayer funded medications.

          • CMH on 17/03/2021 - 11:17
            +4

            @Seraphin7: Most of the time they just leave with a huff saying "I'll go somewhere else that won't rip me off".

            As if I didn't know they'll be paying that same price literally anywhere else in Australia.

            I also had someone tell me it's price collusion and they'll report this to ACCC and 60 minutes. I told her to do me a favour and do it.

            • Seraphin7 on 17/03/2021 - 11:22
              +2

              @CMH: In my experience, few are more entitled than those who are getting something for nothing (or at least getting something with a massive subsidy applied).

    • AustriaBargain on 17/03/2021 - 20:03

      The cheap brand pills are sometimes three times bigger than the branded ones, and sometimes the cheap ones have no costing either. If you have kids who struggle to swallow large chalky pills then sometimes branded really is different and better.

      • Munki on 18/03/2021 - 13:08
        +8

        I guess you could teach them that sometimes in life there are tough pills to swallow.

    • CalmLemons on 18/03/2021 - 01:09
      -1

      ^This guy.

      Pure marketing. Just like everything else in life.

      $40000 mattress vs $4000 vs $400 mattress.

      Buy whatever convinces your mind to make you feel better lol.

      You're talking about the pharmaceutical industry, the worlds biggest marketing and subscription service.

      They need to keep you alive, so you can keep on taking those drugs.

      In all honesty, if you're meant to be taking them, take them. No conspiracy theorists please.

    • resubaehtgnolhcs on 19/03/2021 - 17:30
      +1

      I always go for generic placebo …the branded stuff is over rated

  • bargain huntress on 15/03/2021 - 15:31
    +42

    it depends on the medicine

    generic medicines have to have the same active ingredient
    but the form it is in and the binders and fillers can be different

    this can change the absorbtion rate and absorbtion efficiency
    which can change how an individual reacts to the medicine

    it is a lie that they are all 'the same'

    changing brands can even be dangerous for people who take particularly sensitive medicines for important reasons
    like people taking various drugs for psychological and neurological disorders like antiepileptics and antidepresents

    yet the government (i think under malcom turnbull?) decided to take away pbs for all medicines when a generic is available
    and force/allow pharmacies to always provide a generic unless asked otherwise
    they will even switch between generic brands without asking or advising

    • geek001 on 15/03/2021 - 15:46
      +5

      Genuine question, do you know anyone including yourself who has found an issue with taking a generic version vs branded medicine?

      • bargain huntress on 15/03/2021 - 16:04
        +9

        yes
        there are a couple that i have to get branded, pay full price for and constantly remind the bloody pharmacists about
        others i'm fine taking the generic, but i am careful not to let them randomly switch brands all the time

        it just means you have to keep track of it all and watch the pharmacists like a hawk

      • nfr on 15/03/2021 - 17:33
        +5

        My father in law got some allergic reaction to generic ibuprofen, but never had problem with Nurofen. Not all generic ibuprofens are the same though, and I wouldn't be surprised if sometimes generics work better, you just won't know until you try. This is common sense really when you think about it, why would anyone assume medications that do not have identical ingredients, made in different factories, have the same effect on everyone?

        • kfcfatfat on 17/03/2021 - 15:36
          +3

          Does he know he was taking generic instead of Nurofen? Maybe is just a negative placebo effect?

        • Zephyrus on 17/03/2021 - 16:27
          +2

          The fillers can be different. He may be allergic to a particular filler.

      • Telios on 17/03/2021 - 10:39
        +2

        Yes look into Ranbaxy Laboratories.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4_jkv0fbts

        There have been many thousands of cases of generics not including the correct amount, the correct active ingredient (L-R alternative), having dangerous fillers, not meeting GRAS standards, falsifying testing documents and on.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCrTuT5ywvI

        I used to believe our government bodies were testing and able to protect us from any of these cheaters, that was until I found I had several packets of a generic antacid tablet (Ranitidine) that were being recalled because they contained rocket fuel and carcinogens (you can find the recall on the TGA website after hundreds of thousands of us have been taking the generic drug for years).

        Ranitidine was an extremely common OTC antacid (proton pump inhibitor).

        • nfr on 17/03/2021 - 12:23
          +5

          Yeah it's always kind of naive to expect everyone would just play by the book. To really reduce the incentives to cheat, you would need to be able to randomly and frequently audit all businesses, and issue severe penalities, I'm not sure governments have the will, the man power and legal power to do that.

          Btw ranitidine is a h2 antagonist not a proton pump inhibitor.

          • Telios on 17/03/2021 - 15:58

            @nfr:

            proton pump inhibitor

            Big oof on my part!

            My Dads prescription of ranitidine was replaced with a proton pump inhibitor - Nexius

        • greatlamp on 18/03/2021 - 08:52

          They changed their name to Sun pharma now, so all good

        • Munki on 18/03/2021 - 13:09
          +1

          Wait what? You were getting cheap rocket fuel, dummy!

        • zrmx on 18/03/2021 - 15:58

          The ranitidine recall doesn't only affect generic brands, but pretty much all brands of ranitidine.

          The contamination was in the active pharmaceutical ingredient which was what manufacturers use to make the tablets (so you can kind of see it as the raw ingredient for the tablet).

      • mskram on 17/03/2021 - 16:03
        -1

        My father lost his hair when put on the generic chemotherapy drug by accident. It came back once he was on the name brand medication.

        • Drakesy on 18/03/2021 - 13:45
          +4

          Isn't that the standard side effect for Chemo?
          It kills rapidly dividing cells, so in short - hair. It wouldn't matter if generic or not.

      • matyr on 17/03/2021 - 16:56
        +2

        I just wrote a comment before i saw that this person talked about the binders and fillers too. But yeah, for me personally, i found there to be a big difference between generic and name brand lexapro.

        • usernameinvalid on 26/03/2021 - 16:07

          +1. I was told there was no difference between generics and branded by the pharmacist, but the generic really was very different and not in a good way.

          My GP always ticks the no substitutions box, yet the pharmacist thought it was a good idea to substitute with a generic because they were out of stock of the branded product without mentioning it to me. Luckily I caught it before the 20 min drive home.

          According to my GP the pharmacists make more money off generics. Generics should be an option, we should not have to double check to make sure pharmacists have decided to change the prescription! If they don't have the branded product and the script is marked no substitution, they should not fill the order and ask the patient when they return to the chemist!

          edit: panamax is a different story to prescription medications

      • knk on 17/03/2021 - 22:04
        +1

        Anecdotes aren't evidence, but I'm sure a quick search on pubmed or google scholar will give you some more concrete info on the subject.

      • dogboy on 18/03/2021 - 10:38
        +2

        Yes, I found a marked difference in the branded and generic medicine for blood pressure. The generic stuff messed with my head quite a bit and I did not have the same issue with the branded one.

      • skittlebrau on 18/03/2021 - 11:20
        +3

        Contraceptive pills are a common one where there can be differences between brands with the exact same active ingredients. It's highly dependent on the individual though.

    • CheapskateQueen on 15/03/2021 - 21:01

      your response is mostly spot on, but they haven't taken away pbs for all medicines when a generic is available

      I do get generic for many things, but similar to you, get the original for certain specific medicines

    • CMH on 16/03/2021 - 00:45
      +42

      yet the government (i think under malcom turnbull?) decided to take away pbs for all medicines when a generic is available

      Totally untrue. The consumer may choose to pay the price difference between the branded one and the generic, but it is still covered under the PBS.

      they will even switch between generic brands without asking or advising

      True, but you can always ask them to change it and if they refuse/unable to then ask them to cancel the script and go somewhere else that will give you the brand you want.

      changing brands can even be dangerous for people who take particularly sensitive medicines for important reasons
      like people taking various drugs for psychological and neurological disorders like antiepileptics and antidepresents

      There is a handful of drugs this is true for. Pharmacists know which ones these are, and would ask you if you've had it before. If you haven't, they would have a good chat with you about it, which includes the fact that you cannot change brands unless absolutely necessary or had a chat with the doctor.

      Would you like to know what sort of crapstorm a pharmacist would find themselves in if they swapped brands for medicines which absolutely shouldn't be messed around with?

      it is a lie that they are all 'the same'

      True. There are differences in the packaging, but:

      this can change the absorbtion rate and absorbtion efficiency

      Mostly untrue. The absorption rate and efficiency of the medication has to be within a certain tolerance (someone quoted 98% to me once) of the original drug to be allowed to be swapped as a generic. There is a few medications out there where there are generics that don't meet that standard, and legally not allowed to be swapped although they may be sold on their own right (just not swapped as a generic for the name brand).

      Also, some generics are made by the same company, from the same factory as the name brand. Not going for these when offered is literally paying for the privilege of having a particular box…

      Also another point is that some medications, mostly those that have been around for a VERY long time, the original brand is no longer available. A generic has taken over as the most "popular" brand, and paying a premium for this generic feels a bit hypocritical. An example is metformin: people are paying extra for the "Diabex" brand, which is a generic of the original Glucophage which is not available in Australia.

      • mingofmongo on 16/03/2021 - 07:35
        +6

        Brilliant response @CMH. 100% correct.

      • Ughhh on 16/03/2021 - 17:21
        -4

        So In conclusion, to say

        they're all the same

        Is 100% inaccurate and false, as you stated, some are the same and some are not.

        • CMH on 16/03/2021 - 19:18
          +6

          So if the original manufacturer changes their pills to now come with a stamped letter S rather than the letter F it originally came with, they're also no longer exactly the same.

          Just because I can't say they're exactly the same doesn't mean the drug will not work exactly the same.

          • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2021 - 08:52

            @CMH: of course they wont be exactly the same as the premium branded ones.

            to be exactly the same as you said, they would have to be visually indistinguishable in every way (pill and packet), which correct me if I am wrong, would open the generic brand to a lawsuit from the branded / premium brand

            • zrmx on 18/03/2021 - 16:04

              @[Deactivated]: What if the original brand is no longer the same as the previous version of the original brand?

              It is very common for companies to switch to a "new formulation/new look" tablet (including the original brands) that cost them cheaper to make as time goes.

      • UNO on 17/03/2021 - 09:03
        +3

        Look what happened in NZ when PHARMAC forced a change. https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300236376/epilepsy-dru….

      • x d on 18/03/2021 - 10:32
        +1

        "The absorption rate and efficiency of the medication has to be within a certain tolerance (someone quoted 98% to me once) of the original drug to be allowed to be swapped as a generic" - This is not always true.

        I have seen the results of a cholesterol prolife of somebody who was on Crestor for a long time and was in perfect control. Then suddenly his cholesterol on checking went up by 30%. I asked him if his diet has changed and it hasn't been and he hasn't gained weight. This person is a professional so testing is critical for him and he does not miss his pills. As it turns out he changed to a generic medication! He promptly went back to branded Crestor and his profile soon after returned to target of control. Imagine that if he was not getting intermittent testing of his cholesterol and kept on taking generic Crestor. He would increase his chance of a heart attack immensely.

        Someone in the medical rep industry told me that generics are allowed to have up to 20% leeway in the concentration of the active ingredient. I can't verify that piece of information so happy to be corrected.

        Another point is that a lot of "branded" medication do not have a price brand premium and cost no more than generic to the patient. A very good example is Lipitor, one of the biggest cholesterol medication. So why is it that a lot of patients are switched over to generic medication for the same price as branded medication, causing confusion to the patients. There has to be higher margin of profits in generics for pharmacists to do this, which for older patients with multiple medications is fraught with danger.

        If a medication that can't be measured in a scientific way such as cholesterol levels in the example above, changing to generics is quite a risk in my opinion. Examples for me is like the original poster of this line of comments, ie those on epilepsy, mood disorder medication etc…

        Fact is they are not all the same in the effectiveness that they work.

        • CMH on 22/03/2021 - 06:09

          I have seen the results of a cholesterol prolife of somebody who was on Crestor for a long time and was in perfect control. Then suddenly his cholesterol on checking went up by 30%. I asked him if his diet has changed and it hasn't been and he hasn't gained weight. This person is a professional so testing is critical for him and he does not miss his pills. As it turns out he changed to a generic medication! He promptly went back to branded Crestor and his profile soon after returned to target of control. Imagine that if he was not getting intermittent testing of his cholesterol and kept on taking generic Crestor.

          I just want to point out some flaws in this.

          Have you thought about all the factors that might be involved? Would this person honestly claim that his diet absolutely hasn't changed (ie, he ate the exact same thing day in day out)? I personally could say my diet hasn't changed, but hey, there was a special on bananas today so this week I'm eating more bananas and my potassium levels are higher than they usually are. For example.

          Or perhaps he has a very minor reaction to one of the fillers in the generic, causing him to have lower absorbtion of the drug.

          Perhaps he bought 6 months of the generic on one of the 40 degree days in Victoria, and accidentally left the whole lot in the car while he stopped at a supermarket on the way home, cooking the whole batch in the process.

          A single case does not really make the case unfortunately.

          As for 20% leeway, I'd be extremely surprised if that was even remotely true. I don't even know if it's even remotely possible to have that variation within the same batch, which would be the only way I can imagine it'd end up being distributed, as every batch is checked after manufacture.

          And again, we understand there are slight differences between brands and I personally don't question it when someone asks for a particular brand. I explain about generics if people ask, but if they say they want brand XYZ, they get brand XYZ (where available). And if any pharmacy refuses, just take your prescription and go to a pharmacy that will give that brand to you. Vast majority of the time the only reason they won't give you a particular brand would be that they don't have it in stock.

          • x d on 22/03/2021 - 20:23

            @CMH: It looks like you can not accept that there is a probability that generics are inferior.

            This particular example is somebody who is a medical specialist, was identified to have a heart rhythm issue and after further tests, found to have some coronary arterial blockages, which means that it is critical for him to reduce his risk profile and prevent a heart attack.

            I have given a case study. You then assumed that it was the only one. Since that occasion, I have been on the lookout and have seen a number of other cases involving Crestor, which means that other excuses you have formulated are just grabbing at straws. Interestingly, I haven't seen issues with Lipitor takers who may be taking generics.

    • Emli on 16/03/2021 - 08:27
      +3

      A few years ago I had pneumonia. The pharmacist told me there was a generic version of the antibiotic prescribed. I took the cheaper version. I would feel terrible after taking them. When I mentioned this to the doctor on a follow up visit, he said it was something to do with how the active ingredient was released - something like a slower release versus all at once. Bought the branded antibiotic for the repeat and did not have a problem. Never had this medication since and only time it has happened with generic medication for me.

      • CMH on 16/03/2021 - 13:26
        +3

        something to do with how the active ingredient was released - something like a slower release versus all at once

        This isn't a problem of branded vs generic. This is a "quick release" vs "slow release" issue.

        Both branded and generic brands of certain drugs have both quick and slow release versions. It seems like you cannot tolerate the sudden high dose of that medication, and therefore a slow release version that leeches small amounts over a longer period of time was more tolerable for you.

      • greatlamp on 17/03/2021 - 08:56
        +2

        I would guess you were given doxycycline. The capsule contains slow release pellets. The tablet does not. Most of the time the prescription doesn't specify, you were probably given the tablet as a 'generic' for the capsule, which shouldn't be done, if specified.

    • htc on 17/03/2021 - 08:49

      Agree, I wouldn't save money on certain brands as it can be the difference between effective and not effective at all.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2021 - 08:49
      +1

      post your qualifications or studies to defend your point.

      otherwise you are just using anecdotal evidence which is nonsense

    • mrvaluepack on 18/03/2021 - 07:07
      +1

      I made a similar comment in another post and got negged.

      Not only binders and fillers but the facilty/factory cleanliness and manufacturing quality is also a factor.

    • diddy50 on 19/03/2021 - 20:10

      I have never not been asked if I want the generic or branded at the chemist.

      Many different chemists. So I wonder if it's a non issue unless the doctor doesn't specify the branded.

  • Hithere on 15/03/2021 - 15:44
    +10

    The Pharmacy I go to always asks me if I want generic or brand name medications even though I have been going there for years.

    As the 'Brand substitution not permitted box' is never ticked I trust the Pharmacist and my GP to know what they are giving me and always accept the generic brands and have never (touch wood) experienced any side effects.

    If it saves me a few dollars I'm happy.

  • GG57 on 15/03/2021 - 15:58
    +1

    Some GPs may be convinced by a sales rep that their branded product is better than a generic, and prescribe accordingly.
    I understand that the model is changing (i.e. not as many GPs actually meet with reps now), but pharmaceutical companies continue to promote their products to the practitioners.

    For 'off the shelf' meds, I just go with the cheaper versions.

    • jazoom on 16/03/2021 - 11:54
      +1

      I'd say this is a very rare scenario. I can't think of too many scenarios where a drug rep even bothered to talk to me about a product that is out of patent. They only really talk about the ones they have on patent, and even then they usually only talk about the newer ones.

    • greatlamp on 17/03/2021 - 08:59

      For off the shelf medications, there isn't any test for bioequivalence.

      Panamax is not the same as panadol, even if the difference is not significant, and would not be considered a subsitute if covered by the PBS.

      • pharm86 on 17/03/2021 - 12:25

        Moot point seeing as how panadol isn't on the PBS and panamax is

    • fenric on 17/03/2021 - 11:19

      A lot of medical professionals will just say "You need to take Panadol" because it is well recognised, and easy to remember.
      Saves them having to go through the same conversation.
      Doc: You need Ibuprofen
      Patient: What's that?/how do I spell that E…Y….B?/I've never heard of it!
      Doc: Sigh…..just buy Nurofen.
      15 times a day.

    • Mr Haj on 17/03/2021 - 16:00
      -5

      wouldn't that be because the GP would be receiving a commission?

      • eldudebrothers on 17/03/2021 - 16:51
        +5

        it is illegal for us to get commissions for any drugs in Australia.

  • JimmyF on 15/03/2021 - 16:14
    +5

    when 100 tables of Panamax can cost you ~$3

    You really need to stock up when these go on sale at chemist warehouse! $3 is outrageous!!! For that price I can 600 tablets!!!

    100 tablets can be had as a low as 49 cents and often on sale for 69 or 99 cents!

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/607465

    • Hybroid on 15/03/2021 - 16:46

      This is probably part of the perception problem when each one is $0.0049. It's far too cheap to feel effective/safe/worthwhile for some people, particularly those that haven't tried it before.

      Exact same concept with 'cheap fuel' petrol stations.

    • ozbjunkie on 16/03/2021 - 09:46
      +1

      This guy bargains.

      And might also drink too much alcohol or coffee.

    • AustriaBargain on 17/03/2021 - 20:04

      What did you do with your saved 50 cent winfall?

  • stirlo on 15/03/2021 - 16:28
    +8

    The branded Panadol is better than the generic but not worth the added cost. I buy the 2nd cheapest generic not the bargain basement one.

    The reason it's better has nothing to do with the active ingredient but rather the style of the tablet and the coating on it. I've bought the 99c packets before and they frequently immediately dissolve on my tongue while I'm swallowing them leaving a horrible taste in my mouth. Better to pay a couple of bucks (not 13) for a nicer version.

    • Mr Haj on 17/03/2021 - 16:02

      gee we're a delicate bunch

      • stirlo on 17/03/2021 - 16:12
        +4

        We’re talking 1c vs 5c per tablet on something you take quite infrequently. There’s are hundreds of opportunities to save more money without inflicting that on my taste buds

  • owli on 15/03/2021 - 16:32
    -1

    The more known, expensive brand. They are more effective even if the ingredients are the same.

    Sometimes I have a $2 headache not a 0.50c one.

  • contrafibularities on 15/03/2021 - 16:44
    +2

    Yeah I never used to pay more for branded medicines until the generic BP meds that I was taking for a year while I lived in Canada were recalled because of carcinogenic contamination: (https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-s…)
    Now I want all my meds made in Switzerland!

    • greatlamp on 17/03/2021 - 09:01
      +2

      Look closely at the box, does it say made in Switzerland, or is that just where the head office is?

      Medicine, unlike food, does not require labelling to tell you country of origin.

      For example, panadol is made in India

      • bargain huntress on 17/03/2021 - 13:50

        its wrong that they dont have to label it thoroughly
        is there any way to work out where something is made, and then where it is packaged?

        • greatlamp on 17/03/2021 - 23:21
          +1

          You can call the consumer hotline, and see if they will tell you.

          The vast majority of medicine is made in India, generally if it isn't made in India, it will actually have the country of origin on it

    • Telios on 17/03/2021 - 10:43
      +1

      Yes the carcinogens problem is actually believed to be massively widespread.

      They have tracked several cases back to the cleaning of the mixing vats in China and India where they are using a solvent that contains N-nitrosodimethylamine

    • ozbjunkie on 16/03/2021 - 09:47
      +4

      It's more like asking if brands of sugar are the same.

      • Ughhh on 16/03/2021 - 17:07

        How many ingredients in sugar? How many in cakes, how many in a tablet? Why are some easier/faster to absorb? See this comment unless you don't like to read what you dont want to hear.

        Is like saying all makeup eyeshadows are same. All cars are the same. All human beings are the same, same DNA building blocks, but some a little dull.

        BTW, never said branded is better. But to say they're all exactly the same….is like grouping yourself with a monkey. Suit yourself 🙊

        • CMH on 16/03/2021 - 19:21
          +10

          And if you saw my reply, companies have to prove the drug has the same absorption and efficacy as the original to be allowed to be dispensed as a generic.

          Or just pay for whatever brand you prefer. As long as you're not one of those Karen's that squeal about having to pay more for it, we don't really care what brand you want.

          • ozbjunkie on 17/03/2021 - 06:13
            +1

            @CMH: Thanks for hitting this home run twice.

            • x d on 18/03/2021 - 13:38

              @ozbjunkie: Not always. I reckon somebody managed to jump high enough to catch the ball in this case…

              • ozbjunkie on 18/03/2021 - 15:28

                @x d: Yeah? Who? Where?

                • x d on 20/03/2021 - 22:40

                  @ozbjunkie: See my reply above re generics working the same as branded medication. And then read the rest of the thread with some stating that there is financial pressure to sell generics over branded medication.

                  • ozbjunkie on 20/03/2021 - 23:51

                    @x d: 98% equal absorption and thus effectiveness clinched it for me.

                    • x d on 21/03/2021 - 09:57

                      @ozbjunkie: So you would be happy to have poor control of your cholesterol and take a heart attack that potentially kill you, or a stroke that leaves you an imvalid requiring high level care to save a few dollars per month.

                      Then there is a question of long term quality control of companies making generic medication compared to the big names who need to protect their company reputations. Samples submitted for testing no doubt will be quite good, but once accepted, do you have the confidence to say that it will be maintained.

                      I buy generics too, but only if results can be monitored.

                      • CMH on 22/03/2021 - 05:53

                        @x d: First off, I don't make any more or less regardless of what brand you decide to buy, as I don't own a pharmacy. I am also under absolutely no pressure to promote any brand, generic or otherwise.

                        With that out of the way, a single case of an adverse reaction to a medication is not in any way proof of anything. The same could have happened if he changed from a generic to a brand name, since we have absolutely no idea what caused the issue in the first place.

                        If anything, that story tells you not to change brands once you've started on it. Or to monitor for changes if you do.

                        • x d on 22/03/2021 - 20:35

                          @CMH: 1/ If you don't own the pharmacy, certainly there is benefit for you promote certain brands. However, what about pharmacists who do own the pharmacy, how do you know that they are not under pressure to sell products with higher margins. I wound hope that pharmacy owners don't also put pressure on employee pharmacists to do the same.

                          You mentioned in your other response that the most common reason why a pharmacist can not provide a brand is because they don't stock it. I have to ask the question, why don't you stock the brand that most people who are familiar with the brand and the look? Here is an example, Lipitor from memory is the 2nd most common prescribed medication in the world. When it ran out of patent, generics followed. However, Lipitor does not have a price brand premium so patients with HCC pay the same amount of money compared to generics. So why do pharmacies not just keep stock of Lipitor and not bother with generics so that patients with HCC don't get confused as it cost no different to the patients? The only possible explanation is that pharmacists can buy generics for their stock cheaper than what they can with Lipitor.

                          2/ I have answered your question of a single case example elsewhere.

                          3/ I agree that the story does tell you not to change brands and to monitor for changes. But it also tells that for some products, the generics' efficacy is inferior to the branded product.

                          • CMH on 22/03/2021 - 20:59

                            @x d: Customers don't come in asking for the original brand all the time. They also come in asking for specific generics. Like I keep saying, some people get one brand and want to stick with it, and that is fine. It doesn't always end up being the original that they want.

                            If you can prove that a particular generic (or even multiple or all generics) are inferior to the original TGA would love to speak to you, as it is their job to ensure that generics are equally effective (within a thin margin of error) when used. And you know what, you may be right, but if you're that convinced then you really should chase it up. If the TGA isn't doing their job every Australian needs to know.

  • DingoBilly on 15/03/2021 - 16:51
    +1

    Generic stuff is the same as branded so save your money.

    The only exception I have found at pharmacies to deviate from what they usually suggest is to always get the behind-counter Cold and Flu stuff you need a license for. The "normal" Cold and Flu stuff sucks.

    • CMH on 16/03/2021 - 00:48
      +5

      That's because the ones behind the counter that need a license and the ones that are outside you can pick yourself have different active ingredients. Brands have nothing to do with it.

      You have the same brands making both kinds.

    • Munki on 18/03/2021 - 13:14
      +1

      Gimme that pseudoephedrine baby.

  • trustnoone on 15/03/2021 - 16:52

    For medicine with scripts I use whichever is suggested by the pharmacist/doctor, I'm pretty easy unless I see an issue.
    To be honest even over the counter I'll use it based on the active ingredient listed and concentration. Its probably only panadol (rapid) I buy over the counter, I think I just always have so maybe thats why. But I also don't get many headaches so I feel I'd only save like $100 over like 4 years, maybe if that?

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