Generic Medicines

What Does This Mean?

multicolour_pillsA generic medicine is a medicine which contains the same active ingredients as the original patented one, however it is much cheaper to purchase. It is usually a different shape or colour to the original brand, but it does exactly the same job.

Why is this Good for the Patient?

As demands on the health service grow, generic medicines provide patients with safe and effective treatment while reducing the cost of pharmaceutical care. Generic medicines are widely demanded in many EU countries and are increasingly prescribed by general practitioners.

Generic medicines stimulate competition between the pharmaceutical companies as soon as the patent on the original brands expires. This means that your doctor can prescribe medicines safely and the costs to the surgery are reduced, allowing your surgery to provide more services for the budget they are given.

What You Need to Know

If you take regular medication try and remember its strength and its name. Sometimes you may be given a different brand; by going to the same pharmacy for your prescription each time you may avoid this. If you are worried about your medicines your doctor or pharmacist will be happy to discuss them and put your mind at rest.

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