[Me too's and generics]

Generics are pharmaceutical products containing the same active substance as an original branded medication. Generics are used in order to reduce the cost of pharmacotherapy. They have to be bioequivalent to the original drug-their mean "area under the curve" (AUC) should not deviate from the AUC of the original by more than 20 per cent. One generic is not necessarily bioequivalent to another generic. It is therefore highly questionable whether an original drug should be replaced by a no-name generic. From a medical point of view only branded generics should be prescribed. "Generics-related" conflicts can be minimized through tight cooperation between hospitals, physicians in ambulatory practice and pharmacies. Generic drugs should never be used if a better but non-generic medication is available.