Generic drugs: don’t ask, just tell - Harvard Health

Jan 7, 2013 · Harvard Health Blog. Generic drugs: don’t ask, just tell ... online today in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that about 4 in 10 doctors sometimes or often prescribe a brand …

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FAQs about Generic drugs: don’t ask, just tell - Harvard Health Coupon?

Why can't I find a generic of my brand-name medicine?

If you are unable to locate a generic of your brand-name medicine, it may be that the brand-name medicine is still within the period of time when it has exclusive rights to the marketplace, which allows drug companies to recoup their costs for the initial research and marketing of the brand-name or innovator drug. ...

Is it safe to use generic drugs?

Many independent researchers have concluded that generics are just as safe as brand-name drugs. My Harvard colleague, Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, reached this conclusion after analyzing 47 studies of various heart medicines, including statins. ...

What happens if a generic drug doesn't work?

If a generic drug doesn't work for you and insurance won't cover the brand-name version, you're not out of luck. Your doctor might be able to switch you to another medication. Are generic drugs as good as brand-name drugs? ...

Can a generic drug be substituted for a brand-name drug?

If a generic is available, but for some reason your doctor thinks you should still take the brand-name drug, they’ll write "Do Not Substitute" on the prescription. If your pharmacist for some reason does not substitute a generic for a brand-name drug, you can ask your doctor to indicate on the prescription that substitutions are acceptable. ...

Do you have the same questions about generic medications?

Many people have the same questions about generic prescription medications, says Dr. Niteesh K. Choudhry, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and executive director of the Center for Healthcare Delivery Sciences at Brigham and Women's Hospital. ...

Are generic drugs better than brand-name drugs?

There are a few isolated cases — including studies on drugs to treat certain eye conditions — that do suggest that some generic drugs don't always produce the same response in patients. But for the most part, generics appear to be just as good at treating conditions as the brand-name formulations, says Dr. Choudhry. ...