Why Only Generic Pain Pills (Top voted first)

Updated

Hi there,
Can anyone tell me why pharmacies only dispense the generic version of the pain pills I am prescribers by my pain management. (Norco and Lortab). The pharmacies say they don't have it in stock and unable to order it. Same answer from the Hospital pharmacy. They say generic is all they dispense. WHY! Is this true?
The reason I ask is because a pharmacy technician told me that the big greedy drug companies give their people a 20% field of margin of what they can use. We can all be sure it's not the actual drug we need. Generic has always felt lacking to me. I dont think it used to be this way. When I lived in Washington State, it seems like we had our choice. I know we are being cheated of what we are getting. Is this even legal?
Does anyone know if my questions are true, and what options I have?
Thanks for your help,
Lucy

2 Replies

Earliest Newest Votes
1

Hello! How are you?

No pharmacy is obligated to carry the name brand of anything, or anything made by any particular manufacturer. Many do so, as a courtesy to some customers that can't take generics, but it's entirely up to them. They also can't order it, if their supplier doesn't offer it.

Unless you're paying cash for a prescription, or your doctor specifies that you can only be given the name brand, you will always be given a generic. Most insurance companies will only cover a name brand medication, if there is a special valid reason to do so. If you are paying for them yourself and want the name brand, you are free to try other pharmacies to see who carries it.

And no, I think that pharmacy technician misunderstood the law. Under the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984, a generic is allowed to differ from the name brand by as much as plus or minus 20% of the active ingredient. They can't vary it to be a completely different medication, it's only the amount that can vary, it must remain therapeutically equivalent. The FDA considers that an acceptable therapeutic window.

I am, of course, fully aware that it does create problems for some people, especially if you were taking one made by a certain manufacturer for a long time, then are suddenly switching to one that's slightly lower or higher in the amount of the active ingredient.

Nothing I've said is really comforting in this situation, but these are the ways the laws currently stand.

What state are you living in, now? There may be some different law there that I am not aware of, but since you didn't mention it, I can't research it.

Was this helpful? 0
2

Ruth, due to the high cost of brand name meds and the fact that only in certain situations will insurance companies pay for the brands, most pharmacies do not stock them. If a pharmacy orders them, which any pharmacy can, and you don't pick them up, they are stuck with them.

Was this helpful? 0

More Discussions:

generic pain pills imprint k56

k56 ## This pill contains Acetaminophen 250mgs, Aspirin 250mgs, and Caffeine 65mgs, this is an OTC product, a generic eq...

4 REPLIES
Severe knee pain tried everything and no doc will prescribe me pain pills but their the only thing that has worked

I have had two surgeries on my knee. The last surgery had left me with nerve pain in my knee that runs up and down my le...

2 REPLIES
generic pills

round, pink with GG739 on it. what is it.thank you. ## Hey Bob, I'm not sure if you're the same Bob who's as...

1 REPLY
Generic suboxone pills vs brand name strips

I was started on Suboxone strips and paid out of pocket first week. Found out that ins will pay for Suboxone but I have ...

31 REPLIES
Generic Acetaminophen Pills

white oblong tablet. On one side there is an O, a space, then 15. Found in daughter's gym bag. ## Hi Patti, The clos...

1 REPLY
Trust Lady Pills Generic Name

what is the generic name for trust contraceptive pills? ## Hi, natural lang ba mag ka mens twice a month. Pero nag tatak...

7 REPLIES
what do generic morphine pills look like

I have a greenish blue pill with 15 on one side and a N on the other is this a generic morphine pill ## Hello, Flip! How...

1 REPLY
what does generic vicodin pills look like

Has lp on top 145 below it.told it was vicodin???the other side smoth.the pill is white n round. ## Hi tru, Most Vicodin...

1 REPLY
what are these generic pills??

There are two pills, and I think they are antibiotics? but could be mood pills. 1) Oblong, powder pink colour--it is NOT...

2 REPLIES
pictures of generic adderall pills

Peach in color 953 on top of scored pill number on bottom missing With logo of pic of a b or p or 9 or 6 I don't kno...

3 REPLIES