Save with generic medicine
Woman looks up information on her tablet at the kitchen table while holding medication in the other hand.

Same benefits, different price

Generic medications have the same benefits, ingredients and safety as brand-name medications but without the hefty price tag. With the price of prescription medicine rising, it’s nice to find where you can save money without compromising on quality.

The average copay on brand-name medications is over 6 times the price of generic medications. So instead of overspending for brand-name drugs, save that money and get the same product for 1/6 of the cost.1

Similarities and differences between generic and brand-name drugs

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does testing to ensure that the quality and standards of generic medications are the same as brand-name medications. This way you know when you buy generic medications, you're receiving quality. In fact, the similarities far outweigh the differences.

Similarities

According to the FDA, generic drugs are similar to brand-name medicines in the following ways:

  • Same active ingredients
  • Identical in dosage
  • Strength
  • Quality
  • Safety
  • Often manufactured in the same facilities
  • Performance characteristics and intended use

Differences

There are only two differences between generic and brand-name medicines: the inactive ingredients, such as flavoring or preservatives, and more importantly, the cost. Generics are generally less expensive than brand names.2

Potential cost savings

Generic medications on average are 80–85% less expensive than brand-name medications.3 Humana members can see how much they may save by signing in to MyHumana and selecting "Drug Pricing Tool" at the bottom of the page under "Tools & Resources."

Always talk to your doctor about the best course of your treatment. Some medicines don't have a generic version but your doctor or pharmacist can see if there are alternatives you can try. You may find the savings are well worth the change.

Brand products and generic equivalent

Below is a list of common brand-name medications and the generic version.
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Brand product Generic equivalent Lipitor® atorvastatin Zofran® ondansetron Prilosec® omeprazole Neurontin® gabapentin Zocor® simvastatin Crestor® rosuvastatin Norvasc® amlodipine Abilify® aripiprazole Singulair® montelukast Seroquel® quetiapine
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace treatment or advice from a healthcare professional. If you have questions, please talk with your doctor.

Sources

  1. “2018 Generic Drug Access & Savings in the U.S.,” Association for Accessible Medicines, last accessed August 9, 2018, https://accessiblemeds.org/sites/default/files/2018_aam_generic_drug_access_and_savings_report.pdf?_sm_au_=iVVTLsMRHN8SQM95. , opens new window
  2. “Generic Drug Facts,” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, last accessed August 16, 2018, https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/GenericDrugs/UCM575213.pdf. , PDF opens new window
  3. “Generics Drug Facts,” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, last accessed August 16, 2018, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/genericdrugs/ucm167991.htm. , opens new window

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