A full life can be lived with HIV
Johannesburg - The word ‘
generic’ may seem less appealing than the phrase “original brand”. However, if you’re ill, choosing generic medication over the original will save you money.
South Africans often prefer branded medicine over generics, but the latest research from Mediscor shows that this is slowly changing, albeit not quickly enough.
The research shows that last year about one in five prescriptions for patients who belonged to a medical aid favoured branded medication, although generic equivalents were available – this is costing the South African economy billions of rands a year.
Branded medication
Erik Roos, the chief executive of Pharma Dynamics, one of the leading generic medicine producers in South Africa, says the company estimates that the country could save millions by substituting branded medication with generics in the treatment of patients who suffer from hypertension.
The Human Sciences Research Council of SA estimates that more than 6 million people suffer from high blood pressure in this country.
“Generic hypertension medication is, on average, 44% cheaper than branded medication, while a further 79% can be shaven off the price of branded antidepressants if a generic alternative is used,” said Roos.
“Failing to substitute with a generic means that many patients are paying more than R350 for a product that could be costing them in the region of R75.”
According to the Mediscor research, the use of generics has steadily risen to 56.3% in the past five years, with HIV and cancer treatments injecting the major boost. More than 90% of HIV-positive people on treatment are taking generic antiretroviral drugs and 86% of cancer patients also use generics.
Generics contain the same amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients found in the originators – the only difference is that they cost a fraction of the original brand.
The reason generic manufacturers sell medication at a lower cost is because of the increased competition among manufacturers who don’t have to go through the expensive research and development phase that brand companies have already gone through.
Vivian Frittelli, the chief executive of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, which represents generic manufacturers in South Africa, says the steady increase in generic medication use is a step in the right direction.
“The fact that a greater number of consumers are choosing generics over more costly branded equivalents bodes well for both health insurers and government, which has publicly supported the use of generics as a step towards affordable and accessible healthcare for South Africans. But it’s not enough because, if more people started using generics, South Africa could save millions a year,” said Frittelli.
“This money could be used for something else. More importantly, it could result in affordable medical aid schemes.”
Roos agreed, and said more needed to be done to educate doctors and patients about the benefits of generics.
High price tag
Frittelli said: “Generics are subject to the same rigorous registration process as branded medicines, but are substantially less costly.”
Roos said doctors had a major role to play in debunking the myth that generics were less effective.
“By adopting a more generic prescription-based model, healthcare practitioners could see medicine expenditure drop significantly, while providing patients with effective and affordable medication. Doctors should consider patients’ long-term adherence to essential treatments.
“This could be significantly enhanced when a generic is prescribed because brand-name medicine is likely to go uncollected because of the high price tag. The price differential between originators and generics is now as much as 80%,” Roos said.
Generic medicines now account for about 56% of medicines dispensed in the private sector, yet they only amount to 40% of the more than R22 billion South Africans spent on medicine last year.
Elsewhere in the world, the use of generic medicine is about 80%.
TALK TO US
Do you prefer to use generics or branded medicine?
SMS us on 35697 using the keyword MEDS and tell us what you think. Please include your name and province. SMSes cost R1.50
Read more on:   
See More
We’re currently experiencing serious technical problems on the site, and as a result are unable to update the news – even though our market data is running as per normal. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to be up and running again this evening. Thank you for your patience in this regard. – David McKay (editor) & team
Keep watch of these five scams
 
Johannesburg – Over the past year, consumers have lost thousands to money schemes.
Fin24 previously reported that the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) launched a national campaign, “Easy come. Easy go,” to fight these schemes. Among the most common tricks used include Ponzi and pyramid schemes, which requires deposit taking.
Other schemes, called “advance-fee” or “419 scams” promise victims significant amounts of money, through loans at low interest rates. But victims are required to make “upfront” payments to release the loan, explained Eckhard Volker, managing director of Integrated Forensic Accounting Services.
READ: 
Sarb warns South Africans of scams
In 2015, the Sarb investigated 41 illegal deposit-taking schemes. Of these, 28 were carried over from previous years and it includes 13 new schemes. Currently, the Sarb is investigating 19 suspected illegal deposit-taking schemes. Over 5 000 advance-fee scams have been reported to the Sarb in the past five years.
Scamsters often use authority figures such as religious leaders to punt their scams. It is also becoming quite common for scamsters to use well-known brands, and financial institutions as a “front” for these schemes.
A number of Fin24 users have alerted us to the scams doing the rounds. Fin24 has compiled a list of scams to look out for, especially over the festive season:
1. Naspers share trades
In November, Naspers issued a fraud alert to warn South Africans of a scam promising  high returns on share trades made on their behalf. The scam promises 100% return on investment within an hour. People are required to make a deposit in a third party account. Once the transfer is made, the funds disappear.
READ: 
2. Old Mutual loans
This money scheme targets black-listed consumers under the pretext of being Old Mutual. The scheme offers clients loans from R20 000 to R20m, at a fixed interest rate of 5%. There are no credit checks. A person who goes by the name of Melissa Green, poses as a loan applicant consultant, who is also part of the marketing and sales team.
Old Mutual group communications manager Ursula van der Westhuizen told Fin24 that the financial services company was alerted to the scam. A statement was issued on the grou[‘s website to warn the public about fraudsters using the company's branding to offer loans and investment opportunities. Old Mutual also opened a case of fraud with the South African Police Services (Saps) in Pinelands.
READ: 
3. Stream Knowledge Finance
This money scheme claims to help blacklisted consumers acquire loans between R10000 and R30m at a fixed rate of 5%. Loans are granted between 24 and 48 hours. It also offers loans in pounds and dollars. A catch is that the financial service offers the number for their registration with the National Credit regulator (NCR).
However, they are not registered with the Financial Services Board (FSB), which ensures such entities comply with regulations. The loan department is headed by a so-called Reverend Joe Stewart, who denied it was a scam when confronted by Fin24.
Read: 
4. Post Office winnings scam
This is a version of a 419 scam. People receive a sealed package with a certificate claiming that a large deposit has been made in a Postbank account. To activate the account to claim winnings, the victim mist pay a certain amount of cash into another account.
READ: 
5. Sars small business scam
Scamsters posing as the South African Revenue Service (Sars) approach small business enterprises and demand outstanding payments or undeclared taxes. They also demand money to wipe off debts.
People with queries are directed to contact Sars at 0800 00 7277 (0800 00 Sars) to validate their tax status. Taxpayers should also report any suspicious activity at the Sars Anti-Corruption and Fraud Hotline at 0800 00 2870, toll free.
READ: 
 
 
Most Read
cheap jordans
cheap jordans for sale
cheap jordan shoes
cheap Authentic jordans

?title=User:Ymyokicks&modqueued=1

?thread_id=23243

?site=forum_topic&topic=8989


cheap Authentic jordans
cheap real jordans
www.crafthammerdesign.com
cheap jordans
cheap jordans online

http://users.atw.hu/do...orum_topic&topic=5364

http://users.atw.hu/hs...rum_topic&topic=10697

http://www.wiski.com/f...dex.php?showtopic=3737100