Your Nutritional and Vitamin Supplement Information Resource

posted by Ronald on Jul 18

Generic medications have the same active ingredients as their brand name counterparts. Tests must be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, that prove the generic medication has the same clinical effect on the body. They are less expensive because the generic manufacturer does not have to spend money on research and development, and the cost savings are passed directly onto you.

It is important for you to know that often times, generic medications are manufactured by the SAME company that produces the brand name medicine! Since generic medications cost less money, your insurance company charges you a lower co-pay. Some pharmacies have recently held prescription drug sales that waived the co-pay completely for generic drugs (CVS is one company that did this earlier in the year). By ordering the generic drug you ultimately lower the cost of insurance (what the insurance company must pay to the pharmacy is lower because you ordered a generic drug), which in turn lowers the premium you and your employer pay for that insurance. This means you not only have a lower co-pay but you can ultimately lower your insurance premium - saving substantial amounts of money for you and your family.

For questions about generic medications, your local pharmacist is one of your primary sources of information. Yes, your doctor will and should provide you with all the information and the ‘OK’ that a generic is fine for what might be ailing you, but your pharmacist is a specialist in drug interactions, effects, and knows whether a generic is a viable substitute. A good habit to get into is everytime you need a new prescription filled or an existing prescription refilled, ask your pharmacist if there is a generic available.

Generic medications are one way that YOU can help control the cost of healthcare! For more information on how proper nutrition, diet and exercise may get you off your medications completely, visit the

Health and Wellness Library

where there are more than 50 articles on vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more! Remember that doing your part in reducing health care costs is a way of GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY!

Our thanks to Connections Magazine of Collegeville-Skippack Pennsylvania (Summer 2008 edition) and Robert Frankil, RPh of the Skippack Pharmacy for this important information!