Which is better Generic or Branded Medicine?
By SummerChick
@SummerChick (513)
Philippines
July 15, 2009 6:58am CST
Here in the Philippines, there is a decree about to be signed by the President regarding the Generic Act on Medicines. The act embodies laws of strengthening the use of generic medicines in prescribing and usage on health conditions. Not only that generics were cheaper but it seems the quality of these generic medicines have at least passed the food and nutrition board regulations.
We know for a fact that branded medicines were made by multinational pharmaceuticals and have proven product track records. Aside from their packaging, advertisements and proven effect, medicines from these multinationals vouched that they were far more safe and exact as to the content of each of their products.
Although many still believe that branded medicine were effective than generics, the generic pharmaceutical companies has been flashing these campaigns that their medicines pass the standards, safe and much more economical due to huge savings which is 80 to 90% cheaper than branded ones. Generics are proven to be effective medicines in some parts of Asia and the US.
For those individuals and sick people who are making medicines a big part of their daily life, this is a very big news.
Aside from its economical benefit, do you think Generic is better or equal than Branded medicines?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@mrakobesie (1246)
• United States
15 Jul 09
they are actually exact same... if it's a beta blocker, it will have the same effect doing the same thing regardless of the brand.
I personally don't like ether of them lol, most medications have way too many side effects, i prefer preventing diseases. or use homoeopathic medicine.
@SummerChick (513)
• Philippines
15 Jul 09
Although homeopathic medicines are widely known to have cured some illnesses but still much of those, should we say worst ones, need to be treated by pharmaceutical medicines. And they say those people who practiced homeopathy once they get to the doctors would just make things complicated. Well, that's what just I heard off about some disadvantage on homeopathy.
But definitely preventing disease is a very good approach. I just hope we can all stay healthy forever, but with our environment getting polluted and the likes, I really don't know if there will still be every herb to cure emerging diseases like the currently dreaded N1H1 virus.
Thanks mrakobesie for sharing. :-)
@mrakobesie (1246)
• United States
15 Jul 09
yes, herbs can interact with some medications, but honestly, for the most common diseases there are better ways to treat them then to take let's say calcium channel blockers that can give you a heart attack because they can make a heart muscle stop. i'd much rather take let's say flax seeds, they regulate blood pressure, prevent and even treat type 2 diabetes, keeps you looking younger, helps stomach and so on... i'd rather just not go to the doctor as long as i can treat a disease myself... sometimes it works much better...
i had a kidney problem once, doctors couldn't figure out what exactly it was, just knew it was kidneys, obviously no treatment could be done there... i changed my diet, not my kidneys are perfectly fine :)
So in order not to complicate anything with doctors i just don't go to doctors any more, except once a year to get medical papers for my clinical lol...
For me, I also bought generic brands, because they are cheaper than international brands, but i will look about the company standard by food & medicine government or not, i will brave to buy.@SummerChick (513)
• Philippines
20 Jul 09
that's good checking on contents and labels. buyers should always have that attitude.
