Health Insurance Companies Encourage Generic Drugs
Posted Mar 09 2009 4:27pm
According to a recent article in the Orlando Sentinal, consumer advocate groups in Florida have warned that health insurance companies are misleading customers into believing that they are better off purchasing generic prescription drugs as opposed to their more expensive brand counterparts.
In many cases, brand name prescription drugs have an equivalent generic drug, which is perfectly safe and cost effective. However in some cases, the Brand name drug that was prescribed by a patients doctor does not have an equivalent generic drug. In those cases, the health insurer is recommending generics of different drugs that are in the same class. This practice might not be a good plan for everyone, especially those prescribed anti-depressants, and blood pressure pills for example. In any event, if the generic drug recommended is not an exact match of the brand name drug persribed, the doctor will have to approve the change anyway.
In many cases, brand name prescription drugs have an equivalent generic drug, which is perfectly safe and cost effective. However in some cases, the Brand name drug that was prescribed by a patients doctor does not have an equivalent generic drug. In those cases, the health insurer is recommending generics of different drugs that are in the same class. This practice might not be a good plan for everyone, especially those prescribed anti-depressants, and blood pressure pills for example. In any event, if the generic drug recommended is not an exact match of the brand name drug persribed, the doctor will have to approve the change anyway.
More information about Florida health insurance.