Generic drug issues: Ranbaxy case

[radio frequency]

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Did anybody see this? Glass particles in early generic atorvastatin. Lack of FDA oversight for overseas generic manufacturers. What the heck is going on here? I'm starting to doubt my constant claims that generics are truly equivalent, when one really can't tell what else is in the pills besides the active ingredient...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/b...-million-settlement-of-generic-drug-case.html

 

[eagles22]

This isn't a problem that is isolated to generics or even to foreign plants. Johnson and Johnson had some huge fines a few years ago because of lack of quality control at their plants that made brand name drugs in America. The bottom line is, you have to trust that these drugs are made properly (and the vast majority of them are). The companies have a vested interest in keeping their products up to code because, as we see here, contamination and bad press means huge fines and less sales.

 

[zelman]

This isn't a problem that is isolated to generics...

Exactly.

Big-name brand recall:
Novartis

Disgustingly shady business practice by brand name:
Johnson & Johnson

 

[BidingMyTime]

Yup, any problem that one can find with certain generic drugs, is also a problem that can be found with certain brand drugs.

 

[farmadiazepine]

by the way, the fda blew up the whole glass particles in ranbaxy atorvastatin thing. they issued some statement like a couple weeks later saying that these particles were so fine that absolutely nothing would happen to patients if they continue to use it

and yea, generics are just as great as brands and are better because they cost less. look at mcneil, makers of tylenol, a branded product. the company had absolutely terrible quality control issues, and thats why everything was recalled multiple times. generic tylenol all on the shelf, absolutely no problem.