DALLAS, TEXAS—
It's another busy day for Texas Health Resources pharmacy manager Charles Piazza. He says customers always have questions when it comes to generic or name brand."Is it the same? Will it work the same? Yes, a lot of questions like that."
And Piazza almost always answers yes. He says almost 100% of generic drugs are proven to be the bioequivalent of the name brand drug. But Piazza adds, that while the active ingredients are the same, the fillers and time release mechanism may be different. Still, he's confident generics work well.
"I think that is why most generic drugs work in the long, over the 24 hours, if they are taking the generic medication regularly, they'll achieve the same blood level as the brand name drug." Says Piazza.
Katherine Vincent has bought both and says she can't tell the difference, it doesn't matter what her sister says.
"I have a sister in the pharmaceuticals industry and she always says don't every buy generic, that's her opinion, that they are not effective." Says Katherine.
Damian Valencia says he would prefer to guy name brand but they're too expensive.
"I usually do ask questions, but the pharmacist usually says they work just the same, they have the same medicine, the same strength, so I go ahead and believe the pharmacist." Says Damian.
Just this week the antiviral drug Valtrex went generic, soon the drug that cost $159.00 for 30 pills will likely be less expensive and according to pharmacists like Charles Piazza, be just as effective.
"Well, I believe they are potent and good value for the customers." Says Piazza.
