Generic vs. Brand Name: Know What You're Buying

There is a big issue when someone takes generic versus brand name drugs. Of course, the biggest difference is usually the price which sometimes can prohibit someone from taking a brand name medicine when it can be obtained at a fraction of the cost as a generic. However, due to a  United States Supreme Court decision last year, as a rule generic pharmaceutical companies are given what I would call “immunity”  when it comes to their labels. In other words, generic companies are essentially not liable for what the labels say, unlike brand name companies. So, if someone is taking a generic drug and then has major problems with it, often times the generic company may not be responsible. This is a bad situation, in my view, and it does not appear that there is a legislative solution anytime soon as the election will take precedence over such matters. Consequently, I encourage people to strongly study the labels, make sure that there are no side effects that you are concerned about, make sure that whatever you are taking does not conflict with other medicines you are on, make sure you talk to your pharmacist about the medicine, and if you notice anything not right about the drug, call your doctor urgently.  

There are many bogus or unsubstantiated claims pertaining to what various juices claim on their labels. Unfortunately, the FDA really cannot track or monitor the scams that are out there so the public is not fully protected. According to the FDA, claims that include words such as “support” or “enhance” or “maintain” need no hard evidence. Many juice labels often times state that they have “essential antioxidants” or nutrients that help “support” the immune system. Or that there is adequate fiber even though there are no skins or seeds in the juice. And to further complicate labeling, the FDA states that a serving size for juice or fruit is only 4 oz. So, an 8 oz. glass of any 100 percent juice is actually 2 servings. Of course, most people know or should know that most manufacturers add vitamins to their product. Further, most people should recognize that clever companies will state that something, like a serving, only has 150 calories, but if one truly reads the label and finds out there are 2 servings, then the person is getting  300 calories. Companies like Odwalla, Welch’s, Tropicana Twister, Arizona, and POM Wonderful use this method of labeling. Only a few brands, such as Nantucket Nectar and Ocean Spray, give nutrition facts for the entire bottle. In the end, people must really read the labels, study the facts, do research and not depend on the supposed facts set forth on the bottle or the FDA to protect them. No one can take better care of us than we can ourselves.

Ten Commandments for Being a Smart Consumer

Thou shalt...

As our population ages more and more people are taking a drug called FLOMAX (Tamsulosin). At the same time as we age, our vision can worsen and many folks need to have cataract surgery. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of FLOMAX is that it can affect the pupils of one’s eyes during cataract surgery and cause severe complications. Further, from what I am learning from eye surgeons, after someone has been on FLOMAX for one week or more, this side affect is possible, even if the person stops taking the drug to prepare for surgery or has not been on it for quite some time prior to surgery.