Generic Medicine

[barry1010]

I'm all in favour of the NHS saving money by prescribing generic medicines but why, oh why, can't they be standardised so every batch looks the same?
My oldies find it confusing to take one pink tablet, a big white tablet, a little white tablet and a green and red capsule one day and two tablets and two different coloured capsules the next.
It confuses me too.

Is there any reason every manufacturer can't make the same drug look the same as the original?

[wolf63]

My diabetes medication seems to change shape and size with every new prescription.

At one point I was so confused by all the drugs that I took the cat's steroids by mistake.

[ladybirder]

Do you any good Wolf?

[barry1010]

That made me laugh, wolf

[wolf63]

No - but it didn't do any harm either.

It was Prednisolone for his Asthma - it's what happens when you are sorting out your morning drugs whilst surfing the net. Much as I miss Frankie I do not miss having to give him his tablets every day.

[Old_Geezer]

Each generic producer won't feel obliged to make their version the same as a rival's. Unless the global authorities create a law, I think you're likely to be disappointed.

(Same with cars, it's confusing to see me driving a blue one, one year, and next year be in a red one.)

[Sqad]

Everybody gets confused.
I can only suggest that the pharmaceutical industry is not nationalised and each company has a different style and colour to personalise their products.
I don't know the answer but gingejbee is a pharmacist, I think, so she might shed some light.

[gingejbee]

Thank you sqad...you've not only changed my (ex)profession but also my gender! (must say, I'm glad you're retired).
I've never been a pharmacist (although I do have a keen interest)...but it was one of my options, before I chose analytical chemistry.
(And thanks for the post-lunch laugh!)

[Sqad]

Gingejbee... lol..sex is just a gamble in this day and age lol, I have no idea why I imagined you to have been /is a pharmacist. -;)

[gingejbee]

^I suspect because I've answered a few "medication" questions...with my limited knowledge.
My posts are obviously not macho enough if you see me as a red-haired vixen..!

[Sqad]

-;)

[pastafreak]

Irrelevant , but I thought gingejbee was female also.

[gingejbee]

^Obviously I come across as a caring, sensitive, intelligent and thoughtful soul....although the above comments do nothing for my self-image!

[roopower]

My tablets are always little, white and round but I've been prescribed vitamin D and that comes in tiny spherical capsules in blister packs. Who thought that was a good idea. There are at least three on the floor somewhere.

[wolf63]

roopower - the cats used to ignore such offerings.

But my last dog claimed anything remotely edible that landed on the floor. He has been dead for a few years but I remember having to phone the Vet once or twice - he was on the Pill at one stage.