We have been campaigning for transparency in generic drug approval, manufacturing and distribution for over a decade. That’s because we have heard from so many visitors to this website about difficulties they have had with generic versions of their medications.
We first heard about problems with Budeprion, the first generic version of Wellbutrin, within months after it came on the market. People complained that it did not control their depression as the brand-name drug did and that it resulted in side effects such as tremor, nausea, anxiety and headache. After years of questions about these problems, the FDA conducted tests showing that the generic drug did not perform the same as the brand name. The agency asked the manufacturer to take it off the market.
If you want to learn the backstory about this and other generic drug concerns we invite you to watch Joe on Nightline.
Ever wondered what Joe & Terry look like on the radio at their host NPR station, WUNC? The Nightline video not only reveals some startling information about generic drugs, it also shows the hosts of The People’s Pharmacy radio show.
Watch the feature below:
So what can you do if you are having difficulty with your generic medication? Pharmacies frequently switch from one generic manufacturer to another without alerting their customers, so if you suddenly develop symptoms with a medicine you’ve taken for years, it could be due to a change in suppliers. If your drug does not seem to be performing as you expect, make a report to MedWatch so that the FDA will learn about it. Save a sample of the medication and ask the pharmacy for the details on manufacturer and lot number.
You can also share your thoughts below, or contact us through the website.
