HOUSTON – Generic drugs save Americans more than $100 billion each year, but not all generic drugs are created equal.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires generic drugs to have the same active ingredient and strength as its equivalent brand-name, the FDA also assigns grades to generic drugs. Unless a consumer asks, they'll never know what grade the prescription has received.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a doctor might not even know the grade, but the pharmacist will. Dr. Stephen Schondelmeyer, with the University of Minnesota's College of Pharmacy, recommends asking for the FDA grade the first time any generic prescription is filled. An "A" rating means that the generic is an exact equivalent, while a "B" rating means that the drug will be absorbed at a faster or slower pace in the bloodstream.
The difference isn't necessarily bad, but it's a good idea to check with a doctor to make sure it's OK to take a generic drug. The major problem with switching from a brand name to a generic is that patients could suffer an adverse reaction to other fillers or inactive ingredients in the drug.
