Explaining the Facts about Generic Medicine - YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GENERIC MEDICINE, JUST ASK FOR IT! Each medicine has two names, a "generic" and a "trade" name. Fact 1: What is Generic medicine? Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients, in the same dosage form and strength as the original product, (i.e. "brand" name). When a medicine is first developed, it is patented and sold exclusively under a single "brand" or "trade" name. After the patent expires, other firms may manufacture and sell the medicine - either under different 'trade' names or under the medicine's generic name. These exact copies of the original product are called "generic medicines" or "generic equivalents". Fact 2: By requesting your doctor to provide a generic medicine will result in a saving of money for yourself. Generic medicines are in general 15% to 50 % cheaper than the branded product. Using a generic medicine instead of a branded product, may result in considerable savings to a patient and medical aid member. By asking your doctor, specialist or pharmacist to provide you with a generic medicine instead of a "branded" product will contribute enormously to keeping your medical aid fund "medicine limits" high and the contributions low. Fact 3: The use of generic medicines is increasing worldwide daily. There is an international move towards using generic medicine substitutions. Fact 4: The Medicines Control Council strictly regulates generic medicines. The use of generic medicines is increasing every year, as the patents expire on brand-name medicines and the Medicines Control Council (MCC) registers equivalent medicines. Generic medicines require approval by the Medicine Control Council. The manufacaturer of generic medicines must demonstrate to the MCC that a generic will have the same medical effect as the original product. Fact 5: The Medicines Control Council's standard of quality is the same for all manufacturers. The Medicines Control Council is responsible for ensuring that effective regulatory mechanisms are maintained. All manufacturers of generic medicines must demonstrate that their manufacturing processes produce the same consistent quality each time a product is manufactured. Once a medicine has been approved by the MCC for safety and effectiveness, it can be expected to behave in the same way in the body. Fact 6: Generic drugs have been used safely and effectively for a number of years in Namibia. Generic drugs have been manufactured worldwide for a number of years. They have been widely and successfully used in the public sector and government hospitals, and on many patients. Fact 7: One of the best sources of information about generic medicines is your pharmacist. Your pharmacist is the health professional with many years of training and experience in the use of medicines. Fact 8: What does the Pharmacy Act say about generic substitution? The pharmacist may not substitute or omit medicines in a prescription without prior discussion with the practitioner who prescribed the medicine. However, if the practitioner, who prescribes the medicines, writes on the prescription "or substitute", then your pharmacist may provide such substitute, (i.e. generic equivalent). Fact 9: How do I obtain a Generic? You may ask your doctor, specialist or pharmacist regarding generic equivalents. This is your right! Fact 10: Concerning the rules of your medical aid. Some of the newer drugs on the market do not have a generic substitute available. If you are currently using medication on a chronic basis for which there is no generic substitute available, you can carry on using that medication under doctor supervision. If you are newly diagnosed with a chronic condition, it is advisable that your doctor starts you on generic medication, to avoid changes later.