This is good news for those who suffers from high cholesterol. The world's No. 2 cholesterol-lowering medicine, loses its patent protection in June, opening the door for inexpensive generic copies that could ultimately save consumers billions of dollars.
Generic medicine is every bit as good and effective as the branded ones. For example, paracetamol is the generic form of Panadol. Equally effective but at one tenth of the price!
"A generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is bioequivalent to a brand name drug with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, but is normally sold for a lower price. Generic medicines must contain the same active ingredient at the same strength as the "innovator" brand, be bioequivalent, and are required to meet the same pharmacopoeial requirements for the preparation. By extension, therefore, generics are identical in dose, strength, route of administration, safety, efficacy, and intended use." wikipedia.
So for all you cholesterol watchers, it is good news. Whatever you are paying for Zocor or Lipidor, you will save money if you go for the generic one when it hits the market in June.
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