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Q:
What is a generic drug?
A: A new drug is given two names. One is the generic or
chemical name. The other is the brand name, which is what
the manufacturer chooses to call the product. Every drug
has a generic name to describe its chemical makeup.
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Q: Why
are generic drugs less expensive than brand name products?
A: When a company develops a new drug, it has a patent
for 17 years. The patent protects the drug company's right
to be the only manufacturer of that drug. After the patent
expires, other companies can then manufacture and sell
the drug under either a different brand name of the generic
name. Because of lower research costs and more competition,
the new product is sold at a lower price than the original
brand name product. |
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Q:
Who manufactures generic drug products?
A: Many drug companies that manufacture brand name products
also manufacture generic products. In fact, some 70 to
80 percent of all generic drugs are made by the same companies
who make brand name products. And many companies that
manufacture generic name products also manufacture drugs
for the brand name companies. |
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Q: How
are generic drugs approved for use?
A: All name brand products and generic products are reviewed
for safety and effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Before a generic drug is approved for use in the
United States, its manufacturer must provide proof to
the FDA that the product has the identical active chemical
compound when compared to the brand name product. In addition,
the generic product must meet FDA standards for the amount
of active ingredient and speed absorption into the body.
When the generic product meets these standards, it is
considered equivalent. |
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Q:
Are generic drugs effective?
A: To gain FDA approval, generic drugs must have the same
effect on the body as the brand name product. This means
that the generic product must contain the same active
ingredient and must be the same strength. Sometimes, the
generic product may have a different color or shape than
the brand name product. This has no effect on the medical
action of the drug; however, it does help to distinguish
one product from another. |
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Q:
Are generic drugs safe?
A: The FDA
requires that all drugs be safe and effective, whether
they are generic or brand name products. The FDA also
monitors reports from health care providers (for example,
doctors and pharmacists) on adverse drug reactions and
has found that there is no difference between generic
and brand name products. |
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Q:
Why does my health care plan have generic drugs on its
formulary?
A: Because generic drugs are less expensive
than brand name products, the use of generic drugs help
to hold down rising health care costs. In addition, generic
drugs offer you a better value and may, in some cases,
extend your yearly drug benefit limit (if a lower cost
generic is used, a lesser dollar amount is applied toward
your drug benefit). |
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The National Pharmacy & Therapeutics
Committee (a committee of physicians and pharmacists
who review medications for inclusion on the formulary)
reviews brand and generic products based on efficacy,
safety, and cost-effectiveness.
We hope you now have a better understanding of generic
drugs, their effectiveness and safety, and how they
are approved and manufactured. |
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Occasionally your doctor
will prescribe a specific brand name product. Other times,
your doctor will either prescribe or agree to have your
pharmacist substitute a generic drug. Some brand name
products are not available as generic. However, you can
ask your doctor to, whenever possible, specify a product
which is manufactured as a generic in order to help reduce
costs and extend your benefit. Feel free to discuss the
generic drug issue with your doctor or pharmacist the
next time you receive a prescription and have it filled.
When you have your prescription filled with a generic,
you can be sure you are getting the quality medication
you need at a better value.
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Health plan products and services are offered
by PacifiCare of California and PacifiCare Behavioral Health
of California, Inc. |
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Indemnity insurance products (including PPO
products) offered in California are underwritten by PacifiCare
Life and Health Insurance Company. |
| Other products and services are offered by PacifiCare
Health Plan Administrators, Inc., RxSolutions, Inc., and PacifiCare
Behavioral Health, Inc. |
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PacifiCare® is a federally registered
trademark of PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company. |
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