About GPhA

Drug Facts: What Everyone Should Know

Are you a parent concerned about the quality of medications for your family?

Are you an adult worried about the safety of long-term drug treatment for a chronic condition?

Are you a senior concerned about the high cost of prescription drugs?

We will help you get the most benefit from your medications, avoid problems, and save money, too.

More and more Americans are turning to generic medications to obtain the same beneficial results they would receive from much costlier name-brands. In fact, almost two billion prescriptions a year are filled with generic products. Generic medications are approved for both quality and safety by the federal Food and Drug Administration, which assures that they have the same active ingredients and strength as brand-names. But they cost 30 to 80 percent less.

Many doctors prescribe generics, knowing they are effective. And many insurance companies pay more of the cost of generics, to encourage these worthwhile savings. Today, thousands of generic drugs are available, and all are manufactured and inspected under the same strict quality guidelines as brand-name drugs. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist whether there is a generic version of your prescription. If so, you can reduce your health care costs and still get the same quality of care.

• Frequently Asked Questions about Generics
• Discussing my Prescriptions with my Doctor and Pharmacist
• Managing my Medicines
• Paying for my Medications
• Spreading the Word about Generics