Doctors should be more cautious in prescribing generic medications whenever possible to help control rising prescription drug costs and to increase the likelihood that patients will adhere to their therapies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned in 2017 that the government would create “legal procedures” to guarantee that physicians would prescribe generic drugs.
Although generic medications have grown over time, generic medicines are less popular than branded ones and doctors still frequently prescribe more expensive, branded medicines. But the generics are equally effective, well-researched, and less expensive branded ones.
One major barrier is that some patients, and even some doctors, view less expensive generic medications as inferior and link them to lesser efficacy.
Additionally, the survey discovered that many doctors continue to use the original brand name of a drug even when generic equivalents are readily available. As a result, they may unintentionally prescribe more expensive medications.
As a result of a patient request, several doctors have admitted to prescribing name brands rather than their generic equivalents. The likelihood of this activity was noticeably higher among doctors who additionally stated receiving food and samples from the company or meeting with [brand name] representatives. As a customer, you can upload the prescription on generic medicine websites and find alternatives to save money.
When doing so is medically necessary, the authors of the new study claim that turning more frequently to generic medications could benefit the country’s healthcare system in additional ways. In the long run, it might also help certain patients better adhere to their treatment regimens.
Brand-name prescriptions are roughly twice as likely to be “abandoned” (that is, never picked up after being filled) compared to generic prescriptions. Thus, increased use of generic medications may lead to long-term adherence to necessary treatments.
The researchers also proposed that public awareness or advertising campaigns, as well as giving doctors free samples of generic medications for their patients, can help change attitudes towards generic medications and boost their usage. However, they recognized that more research is needed to determine whether such methods are successful. The suggestions are made when the high cost of prescription medications has attracted widespread attention.
Generic drugs are no different than branded ones
The scientists examined how frequently brand-name prescriptions are prescribed and discovered that, as was to be expected, doctors favour brand-name medications over generic alternatives.
According to the doctors, despite some doctors’ concerns that generic treatments are less effective or have more severe side effects, most peer-reviewed research revealed that generic versions of brand-name drugs generated equal clinical outcomes.
However, some acknowledge some circumstances in which a brand-name medication may be more clinically suitable than its generic equivalent or instances in which prescribing a substitute is not an option.
The scientists discovered that prescribing more generic drugs could enhance long-term adherence to treatment, noting that brand-name prescriptions are almost twice as likely to go unfilled after being completed as generic ones.
This is likely because name-brand drugs are much more expensive than generic drugs, even though the authors point out that the cost of generic drugs has been rising recently.
Concerns about safety
Generic medicines have long been a source of concern in terms of safety and efficacy. The pharmaceutical industry has perpetuated this myth, largely due to the pharmaceutical industry’s aggressive marketing tactics, which have created a wrong perception around generic medicines. Usually, there are differences in the appearance of generic medicines and branded ones. These differences in are due to color coding for genericshave been linked to greater rates of non-adherence.
The truth is generic medicines are just as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts, meeting the same safety, efficacy, and quality standards as brand-name drugs. Generic medicines are also much more affordable than branded drugs, making them an attractive option for many consumers, leading to cost savings. Despite this, the myth surrounding generic medicines persists.
In reality, generic medicines are safe, effective, and affordable and can be trusted to provide the same quality of care as brand-name drugs. This myth surrounding generic medicines only prevents people from accessing the healthcare they need, serving as a cost-effective alternative to the branded drug.
Generic or branded?
Should you accept the generic version of your existing drug if your doctor or pharmacist offers it? In most situations, the short response is “yes.” Unless the doctor writes “No Substitute” in the prescription.
Almost all branded medicines are more expensive than generic ones. And, if you have to choose, it is best to go with a generic drug.
Most of the available research demonstrates that using generic medication saves you money and gives you a medication that is just as effective as the original. Finding generic medicine online has become far easier with government initiatives of generic medicine stores and companies like Medkart promoting its use.
How does Medkart help?
Medkart is one of India’s leading pharmacy distribution companies that offers a wide range of generic medicines at affordable prices. Patients can buy generic medicines online from medkart.in or through its stores. Medkart offers a hassle-free and convenient way for patients to purchase their medicines through its androidand iOS applications.
