More generic drugs coming soon

Those of us who take a number of expensive prescription drugs are due to get a break: The Food and Drug Administration is going to increase the number of drugs that have a generic option.

The FDA has launched a program called GIVE — the Generic Initiative for Value and Efficiency. The “value” part definitely applies to us. By buying generic drugs, we can save anywhere from 30 percent to 80 percent on the cost.

The “efficiency” portion of the program is how it will get more drugs converted to generic in a shorter period of time by streamlining the application process.

I was a bit leery of generic drugs, until I learned how they come to be. They’re the same drugs as the full-price prescriptions with only a few differences:

•Generic drugs cost less because the research and development has already been paid for. Full price drugs often cost so much because drug companies are trying to recoup the cost of bringing the drug to market. Once the patent has expired on a drug (17 years), other companies can produce generic versions.

•Generic drugs get the same scrutiny as brand-name drugs. They have to contain the same ingredients and perform the same way. All must pass the same standards as the full-price drugs.

•Generic drugs must, by trademark law, look different, either in color or shape, from any other drug on the market.

In fiscal year 2007 the FDA has approved more than 650 generic drugs. With the GIVE program, that number is sure to increase for next year.

For more information check the FDA’s Web site ( www.fda.gov) or call 1-888-INFO-FDA.