Generic versus Brand Name Medications

Many prescription drugs have two names: the generic name and the brand name. Once a brand-name drug looses its patent, other manufacturers can produce the drug under a different name. By law, both generic and brand name medications must meet the same standards for safety, purity, and effectiveness. On average, generic medications can save about half the cost of the brand name medications, but for some medications this savings can be as great as 90%. This can be a significant source of savings for you and the Fund. In general, the savings achieved by using generic medications will help control the cost of health care while providing quality medications. Your physician or pharmacist can assist you in substituting generic medications when appropriate.

To encourage you to use generic medications whenever possible, the amount the Plan pays will be more when you use generic medications.

You should ask your physician or pharmacist if a generic equivalent is available for the prescriptions you need filled.