We take very seriously
the objective to help make quality health care coverage affordable. For years,
the health plans of Coventry Health care have reinforced the merits of generic
medications as one way to support this objective. Generic drugs represent a
product where members can get a much less expensive version of a branded
product that is the same as the brand name.
Generic Drugs are less
expensive because the companies that make them do not have the high
administrative, advertising and research costs that brand name companies have.
Generic drug companies do not have large sales forces; they don't advertise on
television or in magazines. Available information shows that eliminating these
expenses can reduce the cost of drugs considerably.
All drugs made for
use in the United States … including generic drugs … must meet the
same standards for purity, consistency and quality. All drug companies (brand
and generic) must use only FDA approved ingredients and must use the same FDA
approved manufacturing processes. Many of today's most popular generics are
actually made by companies that are owned by larger brand name drug companies.
In this section, we have posted additional information on this
important prescription drug category. We encourage all our members to talk to
their doctor and pharmacist about the quality of generic drugs. Further
information is also available on the Federal Food and Drug
Administration’s website at
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/generics_q&a.htm. |
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