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From: "DEANNA BARTUCCIO" <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 09:26:48 EST5EDT From: Charles Anjard <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Generic vers. Branded medications At 09:28 AM 3/19/96 EST5EDT, Deanna wrote: >I worked in a pharmacy for five years. According to all there, there >is no difference between generic and namebrand. In a few cases, the >generic is produced by the same company for a generic company. (This >is in Canada, by the way). Deanna: I've worked for both Namebrand and generic drug manufacturers, and in many cases what you say is very true - at least as far as the active ingredients are concerned. If the medication you are taking is "pure, 100% active" so to speak, a generic will be virtually identical to the namebrand. Whowver, when it comes to medications that have a particular pH buffer, timed-release action, flavor, packaging (misting atomizers for instance); the generics are under no obligation to duplicate this feature. I have seen many cases where a generic product's active ingredients where identical to the branded product, but because a "non-active" function (like timed release or enteric coating) was not properly duplicated, the results were not satisfactory to the patient. The best thing I can suggest is to start with the branded medication, then switch to the generic. If you don't notice any difference - save the money & go with the generic. PS - No I'm no longer working for any medical company - I've got no axes to grind! Charlie Anjard; Lancaster, PA, USA; 47/6 [log in to unmask] Charlie, Thanks for telling the whole story! Deanna