3 ms·

Here in Brazil, we have something called 'Genéricos.' These are essentially the same medications as the brand-name versions, produced with the same chemical ing

Here in Brazil, we have something called 'Genéricos.' These are essentially the same medications as the brand-name versions, produced with the same chemical ingredients, but they often cost half the price, sometimes even cheaper than that. Insanely comical.

itsdrewmiller 9mo ago
Those are available in America too
- seawsurf 9mo ago
  So this must be worldwide. It seems like the patents held by big pharma are the root of the corruption. What is the guarantee here? That the chemicals are pure, or just that the companies are getting their cut?
  - evilkorn 9mo ago
    Generic is the English word for it. The brand name drugs have a limited time patent and they are supposed to help cover the initial research and development costs of bringing that drug to market.
  - ebiester 9mo ago
    Generics can only be made after the patent expires. And due to pressure from western countries, these are enforced worldwide.
    - Forgeties79 9mo ago
      Which takes over a decade and can be extended multiple times if they find more uses for the drug.
- ilamont 9mo ago
  But prices are going up. Look at the statements your insurance company provides about the reimbursed "cost" of covered generics: Some experts report that PBMs overcharge for generics; The Wall Street Journal estimated that Cigna and CVS Health, both of which own PBM services, are able to charge prices for specialty generic drugs that are 24 times higher than what manufacturers charge. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-things-to-know-about-pharmacy-benefit-managers/#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20some%20experts%20report%20that,higher%20than%20what%20manufacturers%20charge. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-things-to-know-ab...
- nubg 9mo ago
  That's what he said. Brazil is in (South) America.
- Forgeties79 9mo ago
  Huge caveats. The drug manufacturer gets over a decade of market exclusivity which bars the selling of generic versions of the medication, which they can then extend again if they find another distinct use case for the medication (3 more years). This is why the Vyvanse generic took so long.
dylan604 9mo ago
Now look into the places that manufacture these generic versions. Not all factories are equal, and some are not of the best of reputations.
- krackers 9mo ago
  Additionally generics can differ in terms of the inactive ingredients or coating or other stuff. See e.g. https://news.osu.edu/all-generic-drugs-are-not-equal-study-finds/ https://news.osu.edu/all-generic-drugs-are-not-equal-study-f...
infermore 9mo ago
in the US, we call these 'generics'
PhotonHunter 9mo ago
Interestingly, while on-patent medications in the US tend to be significantly more expensive than elsewhere, generics in the US tend to be less expensive than generics available elsewhere.

itsdrewmiller 9mo ago

Those are available in America too

seawsurf 9mo ago
So this must be worldwide. It seems like the patents held by big pharma are the root of the corruption. What is the guarantee here? That the chemicals are pure, or just that the companies are getting their cut?
- evilkorn 9mo ago
  Generic is the English word for it. The brand name drugs have a limited time patent and they are supposed to help cover the initial research and development costs of bringing that drug to market.
- ebiester 9mo ago
  Generics can only be made after the patent expires. And due to pressure from western countries, these are enforced worldwide.
  - Forgeties79 9mo ago
    Which takes over a decade and can be extended multiple times if they find more uses for the drug.
ilamont 9mo ago
But prices are going up. Look at the statements your insurance company provides about the reimbursed "cost" of covered generics: Some experts report that PBMs overcharge for generics; The Wall Street Journal estimated that Cigna and CVS Health, both of which own PBM services, are able to charge prices for specialty generic drugs that are 24 times higher than what manufacturers charge. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-things-to-know-about-pharmacy-benefit-managers/#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20some%20experts%20report%20that,higher%20than%20what%20manufacturers%20charge. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-things-to-know-ab...
nubg 9mo ago
That's what he said. Brazil is in (South) America.
Forgeties79 9mo ago
Huge caveats. The drug manufacturer gets over a decade of market exclusivity which bars the selling of generic versions of the medication, which they can then extend again if they find another distinct use case for the medication (3 more years). This is why the Vyvanse generic took so long.

dylan604 9mo ago

Now look into the places that manufacture these generic versions. Not all factories are equal, and some are not of the best of reputations.

krackers 9mo ago
Additionally generics can differ in terms of the inactive ingredients or coating or other stuff. See e.g. https://news.osu.edu/all-generic-drugs-are-not-equal-study-finds/ https://news.osu.edu/all-generic-drugs-are-not-equal-study-f...

infermore 9mo ago

in the US, we call these 'generics'

PhotonHunter 9mo ago

Interestingly, while on-patent medications in the US tend to be significantly more expensive than elsewhere, generics in the US tend to be less expensive than generics available elsewhere.