Generic drugs: The right choice
You can help control your health care costs by asking your physician to
prescribe generic drugs when they are available and appropriate.
Pharmaceutical costs are increasing faster than any other part of health care. A
Kaiser Family Foundation survey cited pharmaceutical cost increases as a primary
reason health insurance premiums increased 11% in one year. Generic equivalent
drugs provide the medication you need at the same level of quality, strength and
purity. Ask your doctor
When you have a prescription to be filled, you may have a choice between
filling it with a brand-name drug or a generic drug. You can save money by
asking for generic drugs. Ask your physician to prescribe generic medications
when they are available and ask him/her to indicate on the prescription that
substitution is permitted.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor or pharmacist when discussing
your medication(s):
- Which of my medications are available in a generic form?
- Are there any risks (side effects or reactions) if I change to a
generic medication?
- Can I substitute my drug with the generic?
- How much will I save under my prescription plan if I switch?
- Does this generic look different than my brand-name medicine?
And you save money because generic drugs cost 30% to 80% less than
the equivalent brand-name product. A few examples:
|
Med type |
Brand name |
Generic name |
Savings* |
| Blood pressure |
Zestril |
Lisinopril |
66% |
| Diabetes |
Glucophage |
Metformin |
55% |
| Asthma |
Proventil MDI |
Albuterol |
64% |
| Cholesterol |
Mevacor |
Lovastatin |
75% |
| Diuretic |
Lasix |
Furosemide |
26% |
| Arthritis |
Relafen |
Nabumetone |
53% |
| Thyroid |
Synthroid |
Levothyroxine |
58% |
| Depression |
Paxil |
Paroxetine |
55% |
| Blood thinner |
Coumadin |
Warfarin |
49% |
| Pain |
Vicodin |
Hydrocodone |
55% |
*Based on cost savings as of 3/1/2005
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