How has this placebo effect of more expensive cures survived this long?

Question

In French’s book, Medicine before Science it talks about medical ethics, it states “doctors believed that his treatment would be more effective if he had the trust of the patient: in the doctors’ terms this was a question of asserting their authority over the patient and securing his obedience” (French 146). For some people if a doctor prescribes a more expensive cure it might work better than the common known cure. In the text this example is shown “princes expected to pay a great deal, leaving the common cure to the common people” (French146). This has become a large practice today; you have some people that have to have the name brand item when a generic will have the same effect. How has this placebo effect of more expensive cures survived this long?

Answer 1

This isn't a placebo affect, it's marketing. The same reason one buys shoes, purses, or even cars based on brand name rather than function.

It will always survive. Humans have a very strong desire for the feelings a "brand" implies: exclusivity, status, quality, history and/or luxury. If a brand name fails to provide these, it ceases to become a brand.

Answer 2

There are differences between name brands and generics. Sometimes the fillers are different even though the active ingredient is the same.

For most people, generic drugs are just fine. For a few, though, there will be a difference. Some people who started out on the name brand (before the generic was available) are reluctant to change if the drug is working. Some people worry about less attention to detail for generic drugs.