42 is the number of brand-name prescription drugs that will soon be available in a generic version throughout 2011 and 2012. This news is huge. HUGE! The savings for Americans taking these prescriptions will be millions of dollars!
Why? Because brand-name drugs are typically very expensive and people who have health insurance or a prescription drug plan do not always “see” the actual cost. For example, the average retail price for a 30 day supply of 20 mg tablets of Lipitor costs approximately $128. Your health insurance plan or your prescription drug plan may charge you a co-pay (usually between $25 and $45) or some plans call for a separate prescription deductible for brand names (usually $200-$1,000) for this medication. Once a patent on the prescription drug expires, other companies can produce a generic version, which will lower the price and help you save money!
A generic drug (generic equivalent) has the same active ingredients as the brand-name counterpart. Generic drugs are approved by the FDA and demonstrated to be interchangeable with the brand-name drug. With the approval of your doctor, your pharmacist may dispense a generic equivalent in place of the brand-name you have been prescribed.
Here are some of the more popular medications that will be “off patent” along with the schedule of when we can anticipate generics being available (schedule is subject to change):
- Lipitor, a popular cholesterol drug, goes generic in November 2011
- Protonix, used to treat GERD, generic should be available in 2011
- Solodyn, used to treat bacterial infections, goes generic in November 2011
- Zyprexa, which treats schizophrenia, goes generic in October 2011
- Lexapro, used to treat depression, goes generic in March 2012
- Provigil, which treats sleep problems, goes generic in April 2012
- Plavix, an antiplatelet drug which can prevent blood clots, goes generic in May 2012
- Singulair, used to prevent asthma and allergies, goes generic in August 2012
- Actos, used to treat Type 2-diabetes for insulin control, goes generic in August 2012
- Crestor, used to treat high cholesterol, comes off patent 2012
- Symbicort, used to prevent asthma, comes off patent 2012
Remember to consult with your provider before making changes to your prescription regimen. If you are able to switch to generics, this will significantly be less costly to you, and perhaps most importantly, making healthy lifestyle changes and choices may ultimately reduce your need for medications in the first place.
Catherine Snowman is a Community Liaison/Account Executive for Sarasota County and counties south to Naples for Family Private Care. She educates professionals, facilities and organizations regarding services that Family Private Care offers.