Why Don't Doctors Prescribe Generic Medications?
Introduction
An authorized medication's generic counterpart is created in the same way. Research on the approved medication has shown that it has a safe and effective track record, which is what led to its approval. After the original drug's patent expires, a generic version of it can be sold to the public.
To be bioequivalent to the branded product, a generic medicine must either have the same rate and extent of absorption as the branded product or else the difference between the two drugs must be either intentional or of negligible clinical significance.
When the patent on a drug expires or the patent holder gives up their rights, generic medicine versions of the drug can go on the market if they meet FDA requirements. Due to the highly competitive nature of the pharmaceutical business, once a generic version of a drug is released, the price of both the brand-name and generic versions drops significantly.
Why Do Physicians Not Suggest Generic Medications?
Here are some drawbacks or side effects of generic medications that’s why doctors don’t prescribe generic medications:
1. Oversights
According to a report published by the Government Accountability Office, some of these foreign factories are able to circumvent the stringent FDA inspections, avoid documenting their procedures, and are not subjected to follow-up monitoring, despite the fact that serious manufacturing or drug-handling issues have been identified.
Generic drugs can be produced by a number of different companies, whereas brand-name medications can typically only be produced by a single company. Even though the FDA is quite strict about bioequivalence of the active medicine, there are often slight discrepancies in the way the drug is delivered or in the non-active substances that are used as "fillers" for the drug.
Although these variations do not typically cause any clinically significant issues for the patient, on sometimes a patient may develop an allergy or intolerance to a particular filler or delivery system. This, however, is an extremely uncommon occurrence.
2. Contamination
Generic pharmaceuticals are frequently manufactured in generic medicine manufacturers factories located in nations such as India and China, as well as other regions with inexpensive labor and operating costs. Because of the circumstances in these plants, there have been instances of contamination of drugs, which has resulted in their recall in the United States.
To be fair, though, there have been a few instances in which US-based brand names of pharmaceuticals have experienced the same kinds of problems, albeit perhaps not quite as frequently.
3. Mixing up the drugs
Generic pharmaceuticals generally do not appear as recognizable or it is not as evident what each pill is. This is in contrast to brand-name prescriptions, which typically have a consistent "branded" look to them that patients can become accustomed to and comfortable with.
In addition, if a patient's prescription is filled with a medication that was produced by a different generic manufacturer and has a different appearance, this can lead to confusion regarding the patient's medication, errors in dosing, or even patients who do not take the pills that they have been prescribed.
4. Doctors remain divided
There is still lingering uncertainty in this field as a result of the fact that many medical professionals (albeit a relatively small minority) have not come to a consensus regarding the use of generic pharmaceuticals to treat cardiac disease.
When moving between brand and generic versions of some medications, or even between various generic formulations of the same prescription, there is evidence that actual clinically substantial difficulties can arise.
These medications include thyroid supplements and blood thinners.
Also, Read - How to Start an Allopathic Medicine Wholesale Business?
5. Customers are hard to convince
In light of the flaws described above, companies that produce generic pharmaceuticals are required to exert greater effort in order to market their products to final consumers. Because of the stringent regulations regarding trademarks, there is fierce competition going on between makers of generic pharmaceuticals and brand-name drugs.
It is much more difficult for many companies that develop generic medicines to persuade consumers of the efficacy and bioequivalence of pharmaceuticals that have been duplicated.
Even though these medications are sold at the most affordable price in generic medicine store near me, providers of generic medicines nevertheless confront the most difficult obstacle of all: gaining the acceptance of customers.
Customers are difficult to acquire in the absence of any advertising or marketing efforts.
6. Generic drugs appear different than Brand-Name Medicines
Patients may be swayed away from generic medications just based on their looks in some cases. Because of the laws governing trademarks, a generic drug producer is not permitted to reproduce the precise appearance of a brand-name drug.
When it reaches the patients in a different hue, and with distinct packaging, the duplicate drug is far more difficult to accept in the market.
If you have a prescription that you fill often, the next time you go to get a refill, you will probably notice that the product comes in a different color and package. This may at times cause uncertainty and misgivings on the part of a great number of consumers.
7. Misconceptions and Doubts
Generic versions of branded pharmaceuticals are sold at lower prices since their production is based on the initial research and development phases of the brand patent.
People have a tendency to believe that duplicate pharmaceuticals are created in low-quality establishments, which leads them to mistakenly feel that generic drugs are less effective and pose a greater risk.
It is commonly held that generic medicine online are produced in manufacturing facilities that are not up to par when it comes to adhering to quality and sanitary regulations.
8. Cost Raises Suspicion Among many Patients
Some patients are wary about generic prescriptions when they see a significant price difference between them and brand-name medications, and it can be difficult to convince them that the two types of medication are biologically comparable.
The second question that arises in their minds is whether or not a generic medicine has any therapeutic value. Is there a difference in the efficacy of a branded drug and a generic drug? During the process of developing a duplicate medication, various questions arise regarding the quality and safety criteria that were adhered to.
9. Risk of Sensitivity or Intolerance
The law requires that the active component in a generic drug be the same as the active ingredient in the original drug, however inactive elements like preservatives and fillers might be varied amongst brands of generic drugs.
These variations only rarely result in a clinically relevant problem for the patient; but, in extremely unusual cases, a patient may have an intolerance or sensitivity to the inactive substances in the medication.
It is possible that your insurance plan will no longer cover brand-name prescriptions in today's cost-conscious atmosphere for health care, or that you would be significantly higher for those medications. To the great good fortune, the vast majority of pharmaceuticals are now offered in a generic form, and the vast majority of patients who take these prescriptions do not experience any significant adverse effects from doing so.
Does Choosing a Generic Medicine Require Any Special Consideration?
Narrow therapeutic index (NTI) medications require careful thought before switching to a generic alternative. Narrow therapeutic index (NTI) medications have a small window between effective and harmful doses.
A few examples of the following generic medicine in India products are:
- warfarin (a blood thinner) (a blood thinner)
- digoxin (treats certain heart problems) (treats certain heart conditions)
- theophylline
It's important to note that while the FDA doesn't have a stance on generic NTIs, certain states do. When using generics in certain places, it's important to take measures and keep an eye on the patient more closely.
Conclusion
The availability of generic alternatives does not hinder or slow down the development of new treatments. The average person's disposable income has decreased as a result of the societal and economic effects of COVID-19.
Although generic medicines must pass stringent standard tests and quality checks before being approved, many generic drug makers still find it difficult to win over patients. There are so many pharmaceutical firms that the industry has adopted stricter regulations. Many pharmaceutical companies, in their pursuit of market dominance, do not try to stifle the development of generic versions of existing pharmaceuticals.
However, doctors can help those in need by suggesting generic drugs in the event of financial hardship.
FAQs: Generic Medicine
Q. Do adverse effects from generic medicine increase?
Ans: The FDA mandates that generic medicines and brand-name equivalents share the same clinical risks and benefits; hence, one should not cause more adverse effects than the other.
Q. What distinguishes branded medications from generic medicine?
Ans: Generic drugs are made using the same active component that goes into making the brand-name drug, while brand-name medicines are named after the firm that created them. Generic versions of a drug will have a different brand name, but will be chemically identical to the name-brand version.
Q. How much less expensive are generic medicine?
Ans: The Food and Drug Administration expects a price reduction of 20-70% (FDA). And you can get 80% discount on generic medicines.
Q. How are brand-name and generic medicine distinguished in India?
Ans: The production conditions in India are where brand names and generic medications diverge. Generic versions of pharmaceuticals need their own names because they are not identical to the brand-name versions in terms of appearance, flavor, or form.
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