Generic Drugs: Same Benefits As Brand Names (NAPSA)—If you heard about Wal-Mart’s announcementthat it is now offering certain generic prescription medicines for $4, you probably sat up and took notice. a — At the same time, the announce- ment might have led you to wonder about generics: Are they as safe as brand-name drugs? And are they aseffective? The answer to both questionsis a resounding “yes.” Quite simply, generics provide the same medicine as brand-name drugs (and offer the same results) but, to the delight of millions of consumers across the country, generics cost less money—sometimes significantly less. In fact, it’s possible to save as much as 80 percent on prescrip- tion drug costs by using generic medicines, according to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. And if you’re like most Americans who take up to 10 prescription medications each year, you could end up saving a lot of money, according to IMS Health, a companythat specializes in health care research. Every generic medicine gets a seal of approval for safety and effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration, the same ia cs ea There are generic versions of many prescription drugs—an equally effective yet less expensive option for many consumers. agency that approves the brand version. By law, the generic must have the same medicine, strength and dosage as the brand. It also must be manufactured under the same strict quality guidelines as the brand-namedrug. Generics are available for many chronic diseases and new generics reach the market every day. How can you find out if a generic version of your medicine is available? Ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you select the right prescription—forless. To learn more about the benefits of generic medicines, visit the Generic Pharmaceutical Association Web site at www.gpha online.org.
