Comments for Pill Girl Report

Comment on Big Pharma. Big Resolution. Big Loopholes. by Raj Dash

Raj Dash — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:48:07 +0000

I so wish I had started reading your blogs before. Well covered, well done. Having been in medical sales for 17 years, I have to say this is well thought out and well written. Keep up the good work.

Comment on Big Pharma. Big Dump. Bad Dream? by Raj Dash

Raj Dash — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:41:02 +0000

I have to say, you have a natural ability to get people thinking in a relationship mentality. How does one thing we do affect the next?

I have called on SMDC for many years and in fact was a rep to have one of the last lunch programs there. It was an $80 ordeal that fed 20 or so lab folks that no one thanks for anything, at least not enough.

That is now banned, and due to undue influence by pharma companies (I worked for a diagnostic company at the time).

I wonder if the money spent on the guerrilla marketing would go into patient education (not marketing), would that make sense to you? Honestly, the big buck dinner meetings with guest speakers were lavish. pens and notepads, more made in China stuff that was destroying more than the environment.

Take care-

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by samjosephson

samjosephson — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:53:29 +0000

Dear Naomi, I remember reading your article in the L.A. Times about generic drugs. I perked up when I saw Synthroid.

I have taken this brand name since 1974. As of 1/1/09, I might be forced into a generic based on cost to Northrop Grumman, the company I retired from.

I have read some of the comments on switching to a Synthroid generic, but I am looking for some HARD evidence of possible side effects.

My glandular doctor at UCLA always recommended that I stay with Synthroid and not switch to a generic.

Can you respond to me at my email address.

Thank you, Sam Josephson

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by annoymous

annoymous — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:43:27 +0000

I have been on Prozac for 16 years (as of April 08) I switched on my own to fluoxetine in January 2007 and stayed on it for 10 months thru Nov. 07.One reason for trying generic was the cost. In my case, the cost was not worth the struggle to keep on an even keel.
I struggled with my depression for these 10 months, became increasingly agitated, easily annoyed and generally not doing well on it. I have now been on Prozac since Dec 1, 2007 and all is going great. as I did on my previous time on Prozac. I still have the same issues but on prozac I can deal with them. When on the generic I could not. I think 10 months of generic was sufficient to test myself.
Earlier on, several times during time on prozac I also tried the generic but only for several months at a time. Did not work then, does not work now. Again ten months certainly was sufficient time to realize I was not doing myself any good.

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by airherb@aol.com

airherb@aol.com — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:15:32 +0000

Dear Naomi: I just had an opportunity to read your article about generic drugs and I want to relate a true story to you and your readers. My wife had been taking Xanax for over 20 years and since I was on my companies Blue Cross medical plan I was paying a $50 copay for each prescription. In July 2007 I retired and started a husband and wife medical plan with Blue Cross.
When I tried to fill the Xanax prescription the pharmacist told me it wasn’t covered under my plan and the cost was $400. I filed appeal after appeal with Blue Cross and each time my appeal was denied. My wife even tried the generic and it made her feel terribly anxious. She couldn’t sleep, couldn’t drive and was having severe panic attacks. Her doctor wrote a letter explaining the problem and Empire Blue Cross still denied the appeal. I think filed an appeal with NYS Insurance Department. The very next day my doctor received a letter from Blue Cross authorizing the use of Xanax for one year. This took 5 months to get resolved and the damage it caused my wife could never be taken back. To this day she is not the same as she was before taking the generic.
Sincerely —— airherb@aol.com

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by Karen Shapiro

Karen Shapiro — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:54:54 +0000

From the LA Times, response to the article:

Naomi Wax had a poor response from generic Zoloft and cites the example of another brand-name medication (Wellbutrin XL 300) that has had problems with its generic counterpart. In this case, the generic may release the active ingredient more quickly, which could result in side effects and lower efficacy for some patients. But Wax was using a generic version of an immediate-release drug that would not have similar issues. Her poor response could be attributable to a large placebo effect from the use of antidepressants and her distrust in receiving a different generic. It is unwise to raise this issue by comparing to something that is not equivalent.

The problems with the use of generics represent a tiny fraction of the generic drug market. Most generics have the same effect and save money. Where they do not, the patient should be informed.

Karen Shapiro
San Marino
The writer is a clinical pharmacist.

Pill Girl responds:
Oddly, Ms. Shapiro reiterates many of the points I made in the article, but phrases them as if they’re counterpoints—i.e., she affirms that Budeprion’s quicker release of active ingredient could result in more side effects and lower efficacy for some patients; that most generics are as effective as their brand counterparts and save consumers money; and that patients should be informed in those instances in which there have been problems associated with a generic.

As for “comparing to something that is not equivalent,” my article didn’t compare a time-release drug to an immediate-release drug; it compared a time-release generic to a time-release brand drug. It made separate mention of my experience taking an immediate-release generic drug.

Finally, it seems far-fetched to attribute my failure to respond to one company’s Sertraline, and my success on the Sertraline made by another company, to “the large placebo effect” and “distrust in receiving a different generic.” Why is it easier to believe that my subconscious mind can distinguish between products made by different companies than to believe that my body can—especially when those products are made using different formulas and different ingredients?

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by Dave, Pharmacist

Dave, Pharmacist — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:54:00 +0000

Naomi: I have probably been a pharmacist since before you were born (1967). I credit what you say regarding generics and will add that SOMETIMES- the generic product may have a more favorable effect than the original; a family member discovered this with l-thyroxine products. We are probably all victims of the Wxl-Mxxt syndrome which tells us that cheaper HAS to be better. Very hard to prove the ‘differences’ but healthcare providers need to remember that there MAY BE variables; each person is an amazing chemical processor unlike any other. Non-pharmaceutical case in point: has Ford Motor Company never built a ‘lemon’?

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by anonymous

anonymous — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:48:43 +0000

Just because a few generics have been shown not to be exactly the same, that does not mean thousands of other generics are different from the brands.

FYI, doctors and pharmacists do not care whether you decide to get the brand or generic. If you want to pay more because “it is the brand” then go ahead. Big Pharma loves people like you. Also, don’t think just because it is a “brand” drug, that does not mean it is made in the U.S.

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by user

user — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:11:41 +0000

After reading the article, I am very much inclined that doctors don’t listen to the patients. they listen to the drug companies. Why? everybody knows. I fully agree with the comments of a patient using Sythroid because my wife has been using the generic for some time and feels tired, not depressed. I think tomorrow, I will tell my doctor this story. Kudos to you for this informational article. I will show it to all my friends and relatives who have not seen it. Wait for the comments from the pharmaceuticals.

Comment on Generic Drugs’ Hidden Downside by jack

jack — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:19:06 +0000

Just read your article and I am am a semi retired pharmacist. The old story coal and diamonds are the same chemically. I bet when you use the generic by Greenstone which is really the brand name you were fine. It is yet to hit the fan yet because more drugs are being imported from China and India at cheaper prices(caveat emptor) If you think a lot of toys are being recalled wait till it hits drugs.