Generic medications contain the same active ingredients and concentrations as the name-brand products, but will often differ in shape, color, size, markings and non-active fillers. Our contracted and licensed pharmacies provide only the highest quality of generic medications approved by their governmental authority. By choosing to buy a generic, you are not buying an inferior medication; rather, you are simply choosing to save money on a product that has the same therapeutic effect as the name-brand equivalent.
Many customers are taking advantage of these quality generic products. In fact, some of the generics offered by our contracted and licensed pharmacies are now more popular than the name brands.
If you would like more information on the generic products that are available, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Here is some info on the generic industry in Canada.
See: Generics – Myth Busted
Health Canada is a regulatory body responsible for the review and approval of ALL medications (both brand name and generic) before they can be sold in Canada. In order for a generic medication to be approved, it must meet strict standards with respect to identity, strength, quality, purity and potency.
In other words, Health Canada mandates that a generic drug must have the same amount of the same active ingredient (the chemical responsible for the therapeutic effect) and it must work in the same way as the original brand name drug. It does not need to contain the same inactive ingredients (e.g. fillers or preservatives) as the brand name product.
When a generic drug is approved by Health Canada it means that it is as safe and as effective as the original brand name drug and that they work the same way. And yet we are all familiar with the big price difference between generic and brand name drugs. In the case of generics, lower price does not mean lower quality.
Health Canada requires that both brand name and generic companies follow the same rules for the manufacturing process and for ensuring the quality of their ingredients. In fact, some generics are made in the same manufacturing plants as brand name drug products.
Two thirds of ALL prescriptions in Canada are filled with generic drugs. The use of generic drugs is expected to grow as a number of popular drugs come off patent.