Brand-Name Versus Generic Heart Drugs
January 7, 2009 by jody
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Brand-name drugs do not offer any advantages, over generic counterparts states the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Aaron Keeselheim of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston found that contrary to the belief, of some doctors and patients that the costly brand-name drugs are no more effective than the generic drugs.
There have been 30 studies since 1984 comparing the two types of cardiovascular drugs. The findings of the studies were that there weren’t any advantages to the brand-name drugs.
In a interview Dr. Kesselheim said, "if a patient is prescribed a generic drug they should be confident in taking it." The doctor also stated "that doctors should feel confident in prescribing the generic drugs,"
Pharmaceutical companies retain exclusive rights to drugs they develop for a certain number of years, after which others can sell generic versions that are chemically equivalent. The active ingredient is the same, but the color and shape may differ and they may have different inert binders and fillers.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration must approve a generic version of a drug before it can be sold.
Dr. Kesselheim said cardiovascular drugs to treat conditions of the heart and blood vessels are the most commonly prescribed category.
You will find more interesting facts about these drugs, by clicking on the name Dr. Kesselheim.
