ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Purchasing your generic products from a reputable, reliable source like the PBA Health Warehouse is one more way that you can personally help ensure quality for your patients.
that companies, foreign and domestic, that participate in the U.S. generic drug system are held to the same consistent high-quality standards and that their facilities are inspected biennially, using a risk-based approach, with foreign and domestic frequency parity.” Generic Quality Concerns about quality often touch on the tiny differences between generic and brand name drugs. The generic must be bioequivalent, which means that the generic drug must have the same active ingredient(s) as the brand-name drug (also known as bioequivalence), the same labeled strength, and the same dosage type (i.e.: pills, patches or liquids). Bioequivalence can be measured in the time it takes for the generic drug to absorb into the bloodstream and the concentration of the active ingredients upon arrival. To pass FDA standards, “the generic version must deliver the same amount of active ingredients into a patient’s blood stream in the same amount of time as the pioneer drug.” However, the average difference in absorption into the body between the generic and the brand name is 3.5 percent. While all generic products must pass rigorous FDA active ingredient requirements, generic drugs do not need to contain the same inactive ingredients as the brand name product they mimic. Patients who report experiencing negative side effects when they switch
from brand to generic drugs or when their usual generic medication is switched out for a different manufacturer’s product may find that the issue is rooted in a difference in the binders, or inactive ingredients, used in the products manufacturing. “Quality is important in any product one purchases for consumption but especially pharmaceuticals,” said Nick Smock, pharmacist and CEO of PBA Health. “Quality pharmaceuticals for a patient means the product will work in a similar fashion each and every time the medication is taken and look identical each time the prescription is refilled regarding, size, shape, and color.” When you ensure that your pharmacy’s generic products are available and unchanging, you’re providing an important, high-quality element of service for your patients. PBA Health Cares Purchasing your generic products from reputable, reliable sources is one more way that you personally can help ensure quality for your patients. Rick Mingori, Director of Trade Relations at PBA Health, adds, “As part of our due diligence for product purchasing, we only work with manufacturers who have a history of consistent supply, quality products and few—if any— GMP infractions.” To learn more about how you can purchase quality products directly from PBA Health, call 816-245-5700 today.
Elements | pbahealth.com
19