Branded or Generic Medicines?
By jencai
@jencai (3412)
Philippines
April 30, 2007 7:59am CST
Which do you prefer to buy and consume? A branded or generic medicine? We all know that generic products were cheaper than those branded. I have worked with a manufacturer who produces generic medicines. I have observe that this products are almost the same with the branded. The only things that differs from the two products were the price and registered brand name, but the quality is almost the same. I don't use generic medicines before but knowing this fact makes me understand it well. Will you use them too for your personal consumption?
13 people like this
21 responses
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
30 Apr 07
I buy the generic version of acetamenaphen and cold meds, they work just as well and cost a loit less. My doc will tell me if an over the counter med will work and it is up to me to say I will try it first or go for the prescription first.
1 person likes this
@nilzerous1 (2434)
• India
30 Apr 07
I am well aware of generic medicines, and I know they cost cheaper in comparison to branded medicines. Fact is that, big companies charge their brand value in excess of production cost - giving rise to a higher cost price. But we are helpless. In India, Doctors prescribe medicines by brand names only and not by generic name. So, you are rather compelled to purchase branded medicines. Wish someday IMA (Indian Medical Association) will force to prescribe generic medicine in place of branded one.
4 people like this
@easymoney75503 (1702)
• United States
30 Apr 07
i usally use generic due to the price and it works jsut as good. now there have been a few that i only do name brand but that was when i had to use like soma and stuff like that. i get most of mine at walmart so i get the walmart brand for everything lol. well i take that back i do use bc powder and advil i dont do the generic on my asprin cause they just dont work as well on me.
4 people like this
@sick4muzick (816)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
hi jencai. I tend to buy the branded medicines if I had the choice and money. I believe that branded medicines have high quality control than cheaper generic medicines. I would rather take the branded medicines for my own consumption. I believe they offer the best in terms of efficacy. Thanks and good day!
@jencai (3412)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
I can't blame you for that belief. I understand as well, I was like you before I don't trust generic products. But now that I have learned the fact that it's of the same quality, I decided to use them when advised. Anyway, thank you for sharing your point of views!
2 people like this
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
30 Apr 07
I always use generic brands. i cannot afford to buy the name brand products. It good to hear that you worked for this company,and that you can re-enforce tha fact that generics are as good as the name brands. Thanks for posting this.
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
I do always buy generic products rather than branded ones. I compare their prize and it's true it is so much higher than the generic products. Sometimes I'm forced to buy branded when there no available generic.
@maevic (819)
• Bahrain
30 Apr 07
I would prefer a generic medicine because it's a lot cheaper. There's no difference on the effect if it's the same medicine and dosage. You are paying more the the NAME that's why. So why would i throw some money when i can save it for other needs.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
30 Apr 07
I try to use generic as much as I possibly can. It's usually just as good as the brand name. But, one of my prescription medicines, Intal, is not made in generic form though I know it has been around for at least 30 years. Even it's non-prescription nasal spray, Nasalcrom, can't be bought in generic form.
3 people like this
@denden (802)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
I prefer to generic because it is much cheaper than branded and it is just also the same with the branded one.Sometimes we do choose a branded because it will be more effective and sometimes also we do use generic medicine.It depends upon the budget.
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
30 Apr 07
My insurance provider requires us to use the generic to get a cheaper rate. I pay 45.00 per prescription for branded and 20.00-30.00 per prescrioption for generic. I have used generic meds for many years now when I can. Some do not have a generic such as Lipitor that works for me. There has to be an ingredient difference and I know one other erson that the generic for Lipitor does not work but take Lipitor and it works. Strange, huh!
4 people like this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
7 May 07
I prefer whichever is cheaer because I don't like funding the big Pharmas for the same, cheaper compound.
@MGjhaud (23251)
• Philippines
1 May 07
my vitamins actually is generic. its cheaper and effective. my mother gave it to me once and when i started noticing the effect, i keep on asking a pack of it from her whenever i go home. she's a healthworker and she can buy it in cheaper price.
@gypsylady28 (945)
• United States
1 May 07
I always ask for the generic if there is one. My insurance pays more on the generic medicines then it does on the brand name ones. I've also noticed that alot of the generic items are made by the same company as the brand name items. When I worked at a pantyhose factory, the Victoria Secrets, Hanes, and Walmart brand were all coming down the same line. They just got put in different bags and labeled different!
2 people like this
@monkeywriter (2004)
• United States
1 May 07
I'd say usually generic. They are cheaper and guess what? Like the same thing of the regular. I'd take it fake any day to real if I could.
For example. Nitequil is like $5 a bottle or generic at Wal*mart its $3. Thats $2 savings. Every penny counts in this world of lots of costs.
They make lots of generic stuff for things. Even food items. Like grocery stores make their own brands. Cheaper and still good. So yeah I enjoy the fake stuff its still great! :))
2 people like this
@mskzalameda (4023)
• Philippines
1 May 07
I prefer generic medicines for its a lot more cheaper than the branded ones. The effects will still be the same even if it is only a generic, the only difference is its cheap and affordable. I will always go for the cheap one if they really have the same quality you know, quality is also important and not just plain cheap. =)
2 people like this
