Myths and Facts about Generic Canada Drugs

Due to the big price variance between generic and branded Canadian drugs , various myths have circulated about their differences, advantages, production and the like.  Canada Drugs Online addresses some of these myths by presenting their corresponding facts.

MYTH: It takes a longer period of time for generic Canada drugs to act in the body.

FACT: The business trying to manufacture a generic counterpart and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes sure that its active ingredients are within the range of specified tolerance prior releasing it for public consumption.  That is, they undergo laboratory and clinical examinations for quantitative results and reference.

MYTH: Generics and branded drugs differ in effectiveness.

FACT: As previously mentioned, through reliable and measurable testing FDA necessitates generic drugs to possess the same quality, strength, purity, and stability as trademark drugs.

MYTH: Generics drugs are inferior when it comes to safety.

FACT: Generic and name-brand drugs have the same active chemical ingredients, and FDA verifies such claims.  As such, generics have to be of the same safety and effectiveness level – similar risk-benefit profile as their branded counterparts.

MYTH: Generic drugs are produced using substandard resources in an equally poorly maintained area.

FACT: Since most generic drugs are intended for internal use, FDA assures that they are manufactured in a standard facility.  FDA does around 3500 inspections annually to guarantee certain measures are met.  In fact, manufacturers of name-brand drugs also produce a generic version of their own medicines under the same plant where their branded drugs are made.

MYTH: Generic drugs are expected to trigger more side effects.

FACT: To date, there has been no recorded evidence of this. Aside from the pre-marketing evaluation of generic drugs, FDA also keeps an eye on consumers’ testimonies on the harmful effects of generic drugs as soon as they are available for consumption.

MYTH:  Patients who switch from trademark drugs to generic medicines are jeopardizing their treatment.

FACT:   To date, there has been no recorded evidence of this as well.  Whether you are taking generic or trademark drugs, treatment failures can and do happen especially if the switch occurred around when they are relapsing.

MYTH:   Generic drugs vary by 45 percent compared to its branded counterpart.

FACT:    The true tolerable difference in absorption between generic and branded drugs is only 3.5 percent.  This is the only acceptable variance – no more, no less.  No generic drugs are approved and endorsed for public utilization if findings are found beyond this limit.

MYTH: Generic drugs’ cheaper price means they are generally second-rate to name-brand medicines.

FACT: Trademark drugs are expensive because they need to recoup the expenses incurred during their intensive research, development, testing, marketing and advertising, which costs around 800 million US dollars.  Manufacturers of generic drugs on the other hand simply reverse-engineer the existing medicine and produce it once the patent of the original name-brand drug expires; and, they compete by offering low prices.

It is advisable not to believe on hearsays.  It’s best to do your own research and take facts only from reliable sources.  That way, you are guaranteed that the information you got about generic Canada drugs are nothing but the truth.