Generic or Branded?
By asdomencil
@asdomencil (4265)
Philippines
March 21, 2012 3:05am CST
One of the issues here in the Philippines is about the use of generic or branded medecines. The governement had been issued some rules that the doctors should indicate the generic name for the drugs that they are prescribing. Generic drugs had the same effect but it is much cheaper (almost 70% cheaper) than branded ones.
I have been resulting to generic drugs whenever a doctor gave me prescriptions. Amoxicillin, mefenamic acid, antacids, paracetamol, ascorbic acid are just some of them. I also bought my mother the generic for her hypertension maintenance and my father for his blood sugar. They say that it has the same effect as the one they are taking before.
Because of the current economic situation here in the Philippines, would you also result to generic drugs that has the same effect but much lower price or would you still result to the branded ones?
Did you already tried using generic drugs? Do they have the same effect as branded ones?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@craziestqueenever (1819)
• Philippines
22 Mar 12
I opt for Generic Medicines. As a Health Care Provider, We had been observing that the effect of the generic and the branded ones are the same. You high in expensive medicines because of their marketing skills.
I had been using generic medicines and they're effective. The multi-vitamins that I'm using is also a generic medicines.
1 person likes this
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
23 Mar 12
In my opinion, branded medicines were being paid because of their names. Furthermore, the expenses in their adds are also shouldered by the customers that's why they cost more compared to generic ones.
@bhonti (1246)
• Philippines
21 Mar 12
I use generic vitamins. I used to take Enervon but now, I have been using generic ascorbic acid for many years now. It works, don't have cold that much and I don't get sick either. Definitely cheaper too. 125 pesos for one bottle with 30 tablets in it. Enough for two months because I do not take it everyday. I also take generic ferrous sulfate once in a while.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
22 Mar 12
Yes you need to handle it properly and as much as possible away from dirent sunlight. So you need to store it in a cabinet or any dark area.
@lady1993 (27224)
• Philippines
30 Mar 12
We have been using generic stuff for almost a year now- since they are much cheaper and just have the same effect. 
It's really hard to get seriously sick since the medicines are very expensive, so I just try and maintain my health so we do not need to spend.
It's really hard to get seriously sick since the medicines are very expensive, so I just try and maintain my health so we do not need to spend.
@bluepenguin77 (30)
• Philippines
21 Mar 12
I think branded medicine are more way effective than generics - as there are lots of generic medicine we are not sure if it's really have the content of such medicine. There are reports that some of them have replaced by pure sugar or other substances.
We are aware that branded are quite expensive compare to generics but you might have an assurance that you get what you paid for. I am not against on buying generic medicine but if I have spare cents I would buy branded one.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
22 Mar 12
You need to check not only the ingredients but also the amount of active ingredients that you need.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
21 Mar 12
It's not true that they have the same effects. I think the branded ones are more effective. I think they are more effective due to the fact that they have a 'name' that they need to take care of. Would you buy an imitation rather than an original if you could afford one?
Let's take for example my cousin. He has hypertension and was given branded meds (with an option to buy generic), the first month, he took the branded meds, monitored his blood pressure and found that it worked well. The second month, he decided to buy the generic (to save up), did exactly what he did before (exercise and diet), this time the blood pressure reading were higher than that when he was taking the branded ones.
I'm not saying they are less effective or are fakes, I'm just saying that you will always get what you paid for. Yes it helps with the hypertension, however, it's just helping you up to what you're paying - in his case, keeping him from having higher pressure but isn't helping to keep it at a normal level.
I too take meds but I always make sure that I buy with brand. When you buy with brand, yes it is more expensive but you'll be taking it for example 5 days, on the other hand, if you buy generic, you'd be taking it for 12 days. All in all, you're not really saving.
Have a great MyLot experience ahead!
@arianne_mae_2012 (243)
•
21 Mar 12
there are some medicine that is ok to be generic and some medicine are not good to be generic.
@arianne_mae_2012 (243)
•
21 Mar 12
there are some medicine that is ok to be generic and some medicine are not good to be generic.
