What do you think of the Walmart discount drug program?

[Wanda Van Winkle]

I have not looked up the drugs, but apparently my state, Oklahoma, has joined the ranks of the $4 generic drug at Walmart.

My first thought is that it could save the lives of people in poverty who often make the choice of food/shelter/electricity over necessary drugs.

[Dave McClung]

I have not looked up the drugs, but apparently my state, Oklahoma, has joined the ranks of the $4 generic drug at Walmart.

My first thought is that it could save the lives of people in poverty who often make the choice of food/shelter/electricity over necessary drugs.

Isn't it interesting how sometimes competition solves problems that politics can't? I have been using WalMart's generic brands of products for years. Sometimes they are not as good as the brand name products, but often they are even better.

Assuming that the Walmart generic drugs are just as good as the brand name drugs, I am a supporter. If they cut corners on quality, the program will fail. Personally, I intend to give it a try when it is available.

Dave

[BobHunt]

Can someone really tell me the difference between regular and generic drugs? Its the same strength? Do they work equally? Should I have equal confidence in both? Will both effect my body the same way? Should I save money and buy generic?

[David Cash]

My connections with the health care world are so long ago and so limited that I probably shouldn't venture to comment, but my impression is that it's all in the packaging, that a generic drug is the same drug as the brand name. Maybe one of the Naznet nurses will give us better information.

David Cash

[Bob Evans]

I thinks generics are the same as regular drugs. All drugs companies have a limited time where they have the exclusive rights to produce a drug. Once that time runs out companies can make the drug. Its the other company drugs that comprise the generics and they are generally cheaper to cut into the market of the original drug company.

[Marg Shurtliff]

I can only speak for Canada but generic drugs are the same as the others in active ingredients . Where you may get a difference is in filler or other products . I once had to take a drug that the brand name had a coating on and the generic didn't . I had a drug plan at that time and insisted they fill only with the brand name as if you delayed swallowing by even a nano second you had a terribly bitter taste in your mouth .It wasn't just a once a day pill either . I generally use generic whenever posible and have full confidence in them . On the other had I have a friend who is 100% against generics as her husband was a drug rep and though retired now it was his livelihood to sell the brand names .
By the way I am a retired NazNet nurse .

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Can someone really tell me the difference between regular and generic drugs? Its the same strength? Do they work equally? Should I have equal confidence in both? Will both effect my body the same way? Should I save money and buy generic?

I happen to have in my congregation a research scientist for a pharmaceutical company (ONU graduate!). I referred this question to him. Here is his reply:

First a disclaimer, I am a scientist (not a doctor) working for a large pharmaceutical company. However it is my understanding that once a name brand drug is “off” patent that all a manufacturer of a generic drug must do to obtain approval by the FDA to sell the item in the United States is to show that the active molecule in the generic drug (the same active molecule as the name brand drug) has the same pharmacokinetics (reach the same level in the blood stream in the same amount of time as the non-generic drug) or what is called bioequivalent. But a generic drug being bioequivalent does not mean it is exactly the same as the brand name drug. They do not have to test the drug in clinical trials and show that their generic drug is effective or equally effective in treating the disease or conduct studies for safety because the name brand drug has been used for many years. The generic drug must have the same dosage form, same standards for purity and quality and for manufacturing.

Having said that and remember I am not a doctor, my advise would be that first, you talk to your physician about their experience with the generic drug compared to "name brand" and also find out what they have read about it in the medicinal journals as some generic drugs have been on the market a significant amount of time. If the generic version is new and if you are currently taking a non-generic drug my suggestion would be for you to discuss with your doctor the possibility of them giving you a prescription for the generic drug for 30 days before you run out of your current medicine and try the generic and see how it affects you. If you were starting a new prescription I would ask for the non-generic first and then trying the generic. For addition information you can read more about generic drugs at the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs website http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/ and this link at Medical Letters http://www.medletter.com/freedocs/gendrugs.pdf . I hope I have answered some of your questions and at the very least provide you with some discussion starting questions for you and your doctor and some tools to search for the best answers for you.

Psalms 139: 13-16

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Wilson

[Dave McClung]

... my advise would be that first, you talk to your physician about their experience with the generic drug compared to "name brand" and also find out what they have read about it in the medicinal journals as some generic drugs have been on the market a significant amount of time.

I am not really taking exception to the advice, but a concern I have is that some doctors get significant benefits from drug companies. I doubt that their advice is entirely objective.

[Meghan Schoonover]

My drug plans makes us get the generic if there's one available.