GENERIC V NAME BRAND

[thebigt]

ok, so my pharmacist insists that generics are vitually identical to name brands-I call bullchit on this!!!

if they were identical why would people spend up to 10x more for name brands?

in particular if I have severe pain and am prescribed a limited amount of oxycodone I will pay the extra for name brand because they work so much better and I want the best pain relief possible....if the difference is so noticeable from something like narcotic pain relievers which you can actually compare results, how much more effective are the other drugs they claim are the same?

I personally think we are getting the shaft from insurance companies who won't pay for name brands, and are giving us inferior drugs to increase profits!!!

 

[cubsfan815]

I think we need to do a test.

Cloth tape measure.
Viagra
Generic Viagra
Measure boner

 

[Ari Gold]

In general, when the patent runs out on a brand name then other companies come in and generic it. The ingredient is the ingredient-all depends on the quality of that ingredient if the generic is "good" or not. Similar to supplement ingredients...not all protein is equal for example.

I've personally had some painkillers (Norco to be exact) that worked great when I had them at the hospital, but since I have crap insurance I ordered generic Norco from Canada which was made in India or a Turkey I think and it didn't touch the pain. Both were Norco 5/325.

 

[thebigt]

In general, when the patent runs out on a brand name then other companies come in and generic it. The ingredient is the ingredient-all depends on the quality of that ingredient if the generic is "good" or not. Similar to supplement ingredients...not all protein is equal for example.

I've personally had some painkillers (Norco to be exact) that worked great when I had them at the hospital, but since I have crap insurance I ordered generic Norco from Canada which was made in India or a Turkey I think and it didn't touch the pain. Both were Norco 5/325.

the whole...generics are same as name brand crap is a load of bullchit, imo!!!

 

[Admin]

I've had some generics do as well, but then others you can clearly tell there is a difference. I say it depends on the actual drug.

 

[thebigt]

I've had some generics do as well, but then others you can clearly tell there is a difference. I say it depends on the actual drug.

you can bet that the wealthy are going to go with name brand EVERYTIME....generics are for us folks whose insurance won't pay for name brands.

 

[Admin]

you can bet that the wealthy are going to go with name brand EVERYTIME....generics are for us folks whose insurance won't pay for name brands.

Most insurance will pay for name brands...it just depends on what drug tier they are...but once you get to certain tiers, there are no generics and for good reason.

 

[thebigt]

Most insurance will pay for name brands...it just depends on what drug tier they are...but once you get to certain tiers, there are no generics and for good reason.

I have to disagree.....if a generic is available that is what the insurance pays for-just my experience!!!!

 

[Admin]

I have to disagree.....if a generic is available that is what the insurance pays for-just my experience!!!!

I have to disagree...you can simply choose as each has a different copay.

 

[Dirty Dan]

It's all about the almighty dollar, which is such a shame.

It starts with the doctor, if you had a good one they will prescribe the proper script and brand that would suit you best. If you have a bad doctor then they are going to prescribe you certain medications in which they may receive a kick back from the pharmaceutical company making the drug.

You call your health insurance to see if it's covered and they feed you some B.S. about the generic brand being half the cost and just as effective. Then they go over their tier system they have in place and explain how only certain brands are covered.

(In my case, I use a very specific cream on my eczema that the doctor writes. This cream works exceptionally well and is the only one that works out of the many I have tried. My doctor said "make sure you get this exact one, because pharmacy and insurance companies like to prescribe people other drugs so they can make a better profit off of it". Sure as shît both the insurance company and pharmacy feed me some line about how doctors are unaware of all the generic drugs and how they themselves often profit from generic drugs.)

Then finally you get to the pharmacy and they also try and sell you the generic medicine because they buy it for a cheaper price and make a higher profit.

The whole situation is about who can profit the most, and not the actual patient in need of the drug/script.

 

[Admin]

Not sure how your insurance company is choosing anything for you...you have the decision. The insurance company has zero say in which one you get...they have co-pays on generics and brands and whichever tier it falls into, thats what you pay. They cant deny you a brand if choose to, unless its not in their formulary (which you can look up befire you ever choose your insurance plan)...which usually means it doen'st exist.

 

[Dirty Dan]

I received a letter in the mail which basically stated that the insurance company now has tier 1 and tier 2 medications. Since I was using a cream they listed other creams as examples.

There were about twenty tier 1 drugs and twenty tier 2 drugs. Tier 1 drugs were the more expensive name brand drugs (mine included) and tier 2 were generic and less common name brand drugs.

The letter stated that tier 2 drugs are automatically covered without the need for a doctor to call the insurance company and request those specific drugs. It then said that they will not cover tier 1 drugs unless several steps were taken first.

First, I would have to try all the drugs in tier 2 that could be used for my condition (eczema). If none of those medicines worked to my doctors liking then he would have to write the insurance company a letter and then they would finally cover any tier 1 drugs. My doctor would also have to call them for authorization prior to me getting the script filled.

 

[thebigt]

I received a letter in the mail which basically stated that the insurance company now has tier 1 and tier 2 medications. Since I was using a cream they listed other creams as examples.

There were about twenty tier 1 drugs and twenty tier 2 drugs. Tier 1 drugs were the more expensive name brand drugs (mine included) and tier 2 were generic and less common name brand drugs.

The letter stated that tier 2 drugs are automatically covered without the need for a doctor to call the insurance company and request those specific drugs. It then said that they will not cover tier 1 drugs unless several steps were taken first.

First, I would have to try all the drugs in tier 2 that could be used for my condition (eczema). If none of those medicines worked to my doctors liking then he would have to write the insurance company a letter and then they would finally cover any tier 1 drugs. My doctor would also have to call them for authorization prior to me getting the script filled.

THIS IS a fine example of what I am talking about!!!

 

[Admin]

I received a letter in the mail which basically stated that the insurance company now has tier 1 and tier 2 medications. Since I was using a cream they listed other creams as examples.

There were about twenty tier 1 drugs and twenty tier 2 drugs. Tier 1 drugs were the more expensive name brand drugs (mine included) and tier 2 were generic and less common name brand drugs.

The letter stated that tier 2 drugs are automatically covered without the need for a doctor to call the insurance company and request those specific drugs. It then said that they will not cover tier 1 drugs unless several steps were taken first.

First, I would have to try all the drugs in tier 2 that could be used for my condition (eczema). If none of those medicines worked to my doctors liking then he would have to write the insurance company a letter and then they would finally cover any tier 1 drugs. My doctor would also have to call them for authorization prior to me getting the script filled.

Usually Tier 1 is all generic and Tier 2 is branded. Then you get into the Preferred Brands (Tier 3) and Non Preferred brands (Tier 4) then Specialy drugs (Tier 5). If you insurance company is swithcing on you out of the blue, you can appeal it because you have a legit medical reason or find a new company. I"m not saying insurnace companies won't try to screw you...thats their job...but you have rights. Its just a pain in the ass to exercise them.

 

[Admin]

THIS IS a fine example of what I am talking about!!!

No its not because he can simply go through the steps for them to cover it. They have too..its the law. If its a new plan, an appeal to CMS goes a long way...they do NOT want fight CMS or get any warnings because it will effect their ability to get federal funds to cover subsidies.

 

[thebigt]

No its not because he can simply go through the steps for them to cover it. They have too..its the law. If its a new plan, an appeal to CMS goes a long way...they do NOT want fight CMS or get any warnings because it will effect their ability to get federal funds to cover subsidies.

lol...if generics were as good as name brands what would it matter!!!! he made the point that generics are NOT as good as name brands which was my point!!!

 

[Admin]

lol...if generics were as good as name brands what would it matter!!!! he made the point that generics are NOT as good as name brands which was my point!!!

But thats not the case with all of them. It simply isn't a true statement.

 

[Aleksandar37]

But thats not the case with all of them. It simply isn't a true statement.

Have to agree with this. Sometimes it doesn't make a noticeable difference, but it's not 100% of the time that generics are crap. I tend to not trust generics that are extended-release, but that is just my own experience.

 

[Admin]

I agree for the most that bigT is correct. I'm just sharing that with some, it hasn't been the case. I also think the generics have a much higher counterfeit rate than most.

 

[Aleksandar37]

I agree for the most that bigT is correct. I'm just sharing that with some, it hasn't been the case. I also think the generics have a much higher counterfeit rate than most.

That too! I also simply don't agree with the practice of being able to make generics. Having been on the pharma side, I don't think it is fair for a company to drop that much money into research to finally find something that works and then only be able to profit off of it for a short amount of time before somebody else swoops in and makes money off of your idea.

 

[thebigt]

I agree for the most that bigT is correct. I'm just sharing that with some, it hasn't been the case. I also think the generics have a much higher counterfeit rate than most.

yes sir, we have reached the point where we can agree!!!

I have come to the conclusion in my 57 years that nothing is absolute except for death and taxes!!!

 

[Admin]

yes sir, we have reached the point where we can agree!!!

I have come to the conclusion in my 57 years that nothing is absolute except for death and taxes!!!

Got that right!