The Essential Guide to Generic Drugs

Pharmacist Lieberman documents the rise of the generic-drug industry and offers valuable information on common prescription drugs, their uses and possible side effects. Of particular importance are his observations that quality assurance standards for drugs sometimes vary, that brand-name drug manufacturers produce 80% of all generic drugs on the market and that a generic drug containing the same ingredients as its brand-name equivalent may be less effective. These points make all the more helpful Lieberman's information on whether it is beneficial to purchase a generic when a brand-name medicine is prescribed, as well as his listings of manufacturers whose generic drug products are FDA-approved. 25,000 first printing. (March)