Q.Why would a Doctor choose not to let you get the generic form of a drug? My doctor always says "if I wanted you to have the generic I would have prescribed it". This makes me think they really aren't the same thing. Are they?

A. Does your doctor have a reason for insisting on brand name only?

Most generics - about 95% - are identical in therapeutic effect to their brand name counterpart. For a generic to be substituted in Ohio it must be chemically and therapeutically identical to the brand name product.

The Federal government generic ratings are published yearly in a thick volume called "The Orange Book". Identical brand name and generic capsule and tablet match-ups are rated "AA" or "AB" and have the same effect.

Ask you pharmacist to explain if there is a generic available for your brand name prescription and if it is identical in effect. The generic always costs less.