Medication: brand name or less expensive

[*elizabeths-mum*]

Last month when having a couple of scripts filled I was told that both would be available in 'the less expensive brand' next time I had them filled (I think both must have still been under copyright or whatever the drug manufacturer version is).

Today both scripts were filled again and I was able to request the 'less expensive brand' receiving the Terry White branded medications... and paid the same price!

Feeling a little peeved here.

[izabsmiling]

It is very sad.

pharmacists are trained professionals who are required and trained to do more than look at the first letter of a medication and/or the pictures on the labels .

[the_hawk*]

Many of the generics don't have the nice coating that makes them go down easier, always worth asking about cost as a 50c saving isn't worth the effort and possible mix ups with different names on products

[siggie-reported-by-alarmists]

It is very sad.

pharmacists are trained professionals who are required and trained to do more than look at the first letter of a medication and/or the pictures on the labels .

They are...unfortunately, mistakes happen.

Always check every medication you are given.......always.

[cherry*135]

The generic prescription medicine does work fine. The patent has expired on the brand name one, and the ingredients used to make that are available for anyone to copy/tweak.

However if they generics are going to cost the same or nearly the same as the brand name one, I would go for the brand name one too.

I noticed on one prescription I got in the past, there was only about 50c difference, so didn't bother with the generic.

We have a TW chemist in the mall and for panadol type, off the shelf ,pharmacy only product they are more expensive than other chemists.

[*elizabeths-mum*]

Another month has passed and time for the script to be refilled. This time I wasn't asked which I would prefer, I had to tell the girl I wanted the original brand which put her out as she had already marked 'same as previous', then when it was filled one of the medications was the Terry White brand and I had to put up with a lecture about how they have the same active ingredients. She did swap it when I pointed out I had specifically asked for the 'proper' brand.  

[grumpy*cat*rocks]

Not really pertaining to this thread but after having dental treatment recently I purchased some pain relief from the local discount pharmacy. It was a chemists brand panadol/codeine mixture that cost me $7.99 for a pack of 40  tablets.

Two weeks later I went to an Amcal Pharmacy in our local shopping centre and I  bought another box as my husband was also using this medication post surgery.

I almost fell in a heap when I was told that this exact same product in the exact same box, same brand would have cost $18.99 at the Amcal chemist.

I told the assistant that the Discount Pharmacy in an adjoining suburb was selling the exact same item for over $10 less. So she offered it to me at the cheaper price.

That is one hell of a mark up.

I won't be returning to that Amcal pharmacy again, that's for sure.

[just_me_karen]

EM, although the chemical ingredient has to be the same, the carrier agent doesn't.. so with some medications, the generic don't work the same. I always ask for the real one.

[the_hawk*]

---

@*elizabeths-mum* wrote:

Another month has passed and time for the script to be refilled. This time I wasn't asked which I would prefer, I had to tell the girl I wanted the original brand which put her out as she had already marked 'same as previous', then when it was filled one of the medications was the Terry White brand and I had to put up with a lecture about how they have the same active ingredients. She did swap it when I pointed out I had specifically asked for the 'proper' brand.  

---

EM I have had them try that on me, I just respond with I am the customer and give me what I want or I will go else where for every thing.

Seems to get the point across

The generics are supose to be a big saving to the customer, I think the chemists are just charging almost the same and making more profit.

[j*oono]

If someone spoke to me that way I would probably just say that there is a very good Amcal just down the road Sir.

[the_hawk*]

lucky you dont work in retail then, dint think the owner would be very happy