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Generic Drugs
Study: U.S. Generic Drugs Cost Less Than Canadian Drugs
This upcoming information is summarized from an article in the public domain on the FDA Web site.
Generics account for approximately half the prescriptions in the United States. The study conducted by the FDA concluded that generic drugs in the
are often cheaper than both the name brand and generics of Canadian pharmacies.
This was based on the seven biggest selling generics for chronic conditions available since 1993. This includes the following:
- for anxiety and panic disorders - alprazolam, generic Xanax
- for seizure and panic disorders - clonazepam, generic Klonopin
- for high blood pressure - enalapril, generic Vasotec
- for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and bulimia nervosa - fluoxetine, generic Prozac
- for high blood pressure and heart failure - lisinopril, generic Zestril and Prinivil
- for type 2 diabetes - metformin, generic Glucophage
- for high blood pressure, angina, and heart failure - metoprolol, generic Lopressor
In 6 out of the 7, U.S. Generics were cheaper than branded Canadian drugs. Then 5 out of 7 U.S. Generics were cheaper than Canadian Generics. One of the
Canadian products even averaged 5 times the price of it's Canadian counterpart!
Not only does the pricing seem better, but their are the safety and regulations issues. "The standards for drug review and approval in the U.S. are the best in the world,"
says William Hubbard, FDA associate commissioner for policy and planning, "and the safety of our drug supply mirrors these high standards." In ordering from a foreign
country where the standards and testing are different, people are taking a health risk. Without reliable oversight no one can assure the safety of these medications.
As always, the person to check with is your healthcare professional.
Posted May 11th, 2006 - For more information take a look at our generic drugs informational page.
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