Generic Drugs: Rx for Your Wallet
Why aren't more people using them?
By Paige Bierma, David Dudley, Tim Fitzgerald, Diana Hembree, and Fabian Redrovan
CONSUMER HEALTH INTERACTIVE
As consumers, we tend to trust familiar brand names. But when it comes to medications, brand names aren’t necessarily the best choice. Hundreds of medications now have generic alternatives: drugs that contain the same active ingredients -- often at a fraction of the cost -- and work just as well. Despite the potential savings, many consumers have yet to try them, according to a study by Consumer Reports. Learn more about this low-cost alternative to expensive medications. Click here or on the picture to start. Multimedia Team
Director and producer: Paige Bierma
Camera work: Paige Bierma and David Dudley
Script author: Diana Hembree
Narration: Tim Fitzgerald
Lighting director: Fabian Redrovan
Video editor: Paige Bierma
Flash design: David Dudley
Flash production: David Dudley and Eric Turner
Photo credits: Getty Images, Newscom.com
Additional video footage: Shutterstock
Sound studio: National Radio Project
Web production: James Burke and Deepi Brar
Executive producer: Diana Hembree Troubleshooting
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Further Resources U.S. Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov
References
Poll: 66% of Americans Blindsided by Cost of Drugs; Many Not Taking Needed Medications, Consumer Reports National Research Center, March 17, 2009.
10 Ways to Reduce Your Drug Cost, Consumer Reports.org, March 2009.
Interview with Michael Potter, M.D., attending physician and associate clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, who is board certified in family practice.
Interview with Heidi Waterfield, an allergy sufferer who lives in Daly City, California.
Reviewed by Michael Potter, M.D., attending physician and associate clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, who is board certified in family practice.
Our reviewers are members of Consumer Health Interactive's medical advisory board.
To learn more about our writers and editors, click here.
First published July 24, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Consumer Health Interactive
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