A very controversial issue in health care today is over which drugs to take or administer: Generic Drugs versus Trade/Brand Name drugs. This includes Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs and prescription drugs (those that require a doctor’s order). Why should you be attentive to this issue? Either yourself or someone you know will have to take medications at some point in life. This makes the information you are about to read essential!! Read on to get the hottest and exciting information on this controversial topic!!
First, Let’s take a look at these 2 common scenarios:
Scenario #1: Money
A 55 year old woman has been prescribed vitamin D pills. The brand name drug costs $150 per month. The generic drug costs $4 a month. Wow! Less money is always good… Right? The patient cannot afford the brand name drugs, because it exceeds her budget. She is very anxious about the safety of generic drugs. If it costs less does it work the same? She is scared she is sacrificing her health for the benefit of having more money in her wallet.
Consumer Question: Is it safe? How will this affect your health? Have you ever stopped a medication because it was too expensive to buy or refill?
Nursing Question: What do you do? What are the teaching points for your patients?
Scenario #2: Ouch!!
A 28 year old woman taking Brand Name Birth Control pills pays $20 per month. When its time to refill her prescription the pharmacists suggest the generic drug because its only $10 per month. She starts taking the generic and experiences severe breast pain and inflammation. She experienced discomfort upon hugging people and putting on her shirts were difficult. She did not have these side effects with the brand name drug. She is considering stopping the pills today, a common behavior among many patients instead of calling the doctor.
Questions to ponder:
Consumer question: Have you ever had side effects from the generic drug but not the brand name? Did you stop the medication without telling your doctor?
Nursing Question: What would you advise her to do?
Follow our Blog to the conclusion for the suggestions we have to offer.
