When given opprtunity, should the health care system always promote the use of less costly generic?

Question

Is there ever a role for the use of a branded product when a less expensive generic is available.

Answer 1

As long as the generic is of the same potency level and offers same dosage requirements. Sometimes a name brand comes in a dosage that a generic doesn't. This can effect the proper use and effectiveness of the drug based on a doctors prescription.

Answer 2

Here's the thing about generic drugs -- they're only required to contain 80% of the active ingredient that's in the branded drug to be considered 'the same'. For some indications this is fine, like for pain control or acid reflux drugs -- you get basically the same result. But some drugs, like birth control drugs, have to reach a certain threshold amount in the body in order to work. This means that taking one generic birth control pill each day is NOT as effective as taking the same branded pill. Doctors should always be the ones to decide whether the generic is acceptable, without pressure from the HMO or whatever.

Answer 3

At my work we just had some one from our insurance talk to use about this she said to make sure that your health care provider is giving you what your insurance cover cause most of the time they will give you the most expensive treatment to make more money so we got a list of all the generic treatments that work just as well. So ya gotta keep your guard up and ask question

Answer 4

I don't think the health care community should get in the middle of it. I think they can certanily suggest to a patient that 'brand x is equal to..' but other than that - if they were to get involved with promtoting medicine, they would wind up comprimising their values.
Becuase they could suggest such and such a med, and it may not be right for you.