Your Health
More ways to save on generic drugs
From the desk of Richard G. Reynolds, MS, Pharm.D, Medicare Pharmacy Programs Manager
As generic versions of widely used brand name drugs continue to come to market, you may have even more ways to save. Generic drugs generally cost from 20 percent to 80 percent less than their brand name equivalents.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a generic drug is the same as the brand name drug in dosage, form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use. The Congressional Budget Office says that generic drugs save consumers an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion a year at retail pharmacies.
Check with your doctor to see if any of these cost-effective generics will work for you:
BRAND NAME DRUG |
Generic Name |
Used to treat |
Formulary Alternative |
*Date of Generic Release |
BONIVA |
ibandronate |
Osteoporosis |
Alendronate, ACTONEL |
March 19, 2012 |
LEXAPRO |
escitalopram |
Depression |
Citalopram,
sertraline, paroxetine,
CYMBALTA
|
March 14, 2012 |
PLAVIX |
clopidogrel |
Prevents blood clots (acts as a
blood thinner)
|
EFFIENT, BRILINTA |
May 2012 |
PROVIGIL |
modafinil |
Problems staying awake |
Methylphenidate,
NUVIGIL
|
April 2012 |
REVATIO |
sidenafil |
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a type of high blood pressure |
ADCIRCA, LETAIRIS |
March 2012 |
SEROQUEL **IR |
quetiapine |
Bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia |
Risperidone,
olanzapine,
ABILIFY
|
March 27, 2012 |
| *Dates are subject to change. ** IR = immediate release dosage form |
|
