Smart people buy generic brands....

grokit said:

I agree about these differences, but don't forget that most doctors are influenced by the fact that
there's no kickbacks for generics like there is for name brands.

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I think that's a much smaller concern than some people believe. However, its very common to have doctors not really be super educated about the intricacies of specific drugs and their formulations. This is why medical doctor and pharmacist are two different professions, and also why its a pharmacists job to double check the work on the Rx as well as to consult the patient regarding the medication.

If you're concerned about toilet paper, I suggest you watch this in-depth reporting done by Steve Carell. Apparently, he's found the answer to his prayers - "moistened wipes that really help eliminate fecal remnants from the anus."

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/ff8l1k/pre-moistened-wipes-pt--1

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/b79t9v/pre-moistened-wipes-pt--2

Also, a bidet could change your life.

Caligula said:

I think that's a much smaller concern than some people believe. However, its very common to have doctors not really be super educated about the intricacies of specific drugs and their formulations. This is why medical doctor and pharmacist are two different professions, and also why its a pharmacists job to double check the work on the Rx as well as to consult the patient regarding the medication.

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There's no suchconspiracy as kickbacks, only effective advertising. and if a physician is conspiring to take advantage of kickbacks, they are commiting a felony: http://physicians.uslegal.com/federal-regulation-of-physicians/anti-kickback-law/





caveat emptor...my latin phrase to sound smarter than I really am (i.e. Ask your doctor about Lipitor)

Knowledge is a double edged sword ....mostly in the hands of the ignorant.

FWIW, I work deep in the bowels of health care. Healthcare as it's practiced in the US is largely a sham. But it's mostly the fault of the consumer and not the practitioners. Don't even think about getting me started.

Let me say only that patients (and their families) let it happen if they choose to do so

You know, I was trying to be diplomatic about that. Hell, they don't even let drug reps take doctors out to dinner anymore, lol.

Caligula said:

You know, I was trying to be diplomatic about that. Hell, they don't even let drug reps take doctors out to dinner anymore, lol.

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I know you were I was addressing grokit's concern regarding kickbacks, which didn't post for whatever reason. We live in the most litigeous and regulated country in the world (closely follwed by the E.U.), which might make things really good...or really bad depending on your personal views.

Caligula said:

*On the Rx medication front, I can assure you that the active ingredients are just as pure and effective as those in the name brand meds. In fact, the medications are often made at the same factory by the same people, using the same machines and ingredients. There are laws and regulations in place (within the US anyway) that make sure of this. So basically, if you're looking at the efficacy of the medication, generics will be equal to the name brand in every way.


*Citation: This information comes directly from my lovely wife, who finished her graduate degree at the USC School of Pharmacy.

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I used to work in pharmacy too. I remember saying the exact same thing to people until I experienced the exact opposite. I am not the only one that has had a generic medicine not work for them. I wish they did because brand name prices kill me!

Vicki said:

I used to work in pharmacy too. I remember saying the exact same thing to people until I experienced the e

xact opposite. I am not the only one that has had a generic medicine not work for them. I wish they did because brand name prices kill me!

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FWIW Vicki, there are people I know and who's opinion I fully respect. So, I don't fully discount your opinion. But pharmeteutidcals effect everyone differently.

My attempt at levity for others suffering:

basement farmer said:

FWIW Vicki, there are people I know and who's opinion I fully respect. So, I don't fully discount your opinion. But pharmeteutidcals effect everyone differently.

My attempt at levity for others suffering:

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I was literally sick as a dog for almost a year, being on generics. I even tried lots of different pharmacies and strengths. My doctor finally put me on Synthroid 50mcg. I have been on that drug and strength for 3 years, and my thyroid levels have remained great. While I was on different strengths of Levothyroxin, my levels were all over the place, mostly really, really low. There were days I was so cold I couldn't even get out of bed.

This is just an example about one drug. I've experienced the same with other drugs as well. My doctor confirmed that this has happened to a good number of her patients, so it's not just me.

basement farmer said:

I know you were I was addressing grokit's concern regarding kickbacks, which didn't post for whatever reason. We live in the most litigeous and regulated country in the world (closely follwed by the E.U.), which might make things really good...or really bad depending on your personal views.

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I didn't mean cash kickbacks, per se, just being a bit lazy. But it's happening. There's so many articles written about how doctors are manipulated by the pharmacos, not to mention the problems with television advertising, resulting in rampant over-prescribing drugs, not to mention the psychiatric "industry", etc.

Don't worry I'm not going to jump up and down on oprah's couch or anything.

Also keep in mind that this is from before the affordable care act was passed, which did close many of these loopholes. You can click on the pro publica links for more current information, including data by state.

But here's a small sample of what I'm talking about:

"According to a new database created by ProPublica, seven drug companies paid $282 million to more than 17,000 doctors during 2009-2010.

The drug companies included in the database are:

1. Cephalon
2. Johnson&Johnson
3. Merck
4. Pfizer
5. GlaxoSmithKline
6. AstraZeneca
7. Eli Lilly

Bear in mind that these seven represent just a small portion of the drug industry as a whole.

In 2006, the pharmaceutical industry spent an estimated $16 BILLION on physician advertising. At the time, that amounted to $10,000 for every doctor in the US.

These payments are entirely legal, and drug companies are not even required to disclose who they pay or how much. According to ProPublica, all but two of the seven companies included in their database were forced to divulge this information as part of settlements and lawsuits.

This will all change in 2013 under the new health care law, however. (emphasis mine)

Just How Much are Doctors Paid to Promote Drugs?