More now than ever, consumers are opting for low-cost alternatives to brand-name medications, thanks to the rising prices of prescription medication. Many health care companies are even requiring it — switching patients to generic medications as a way to help control costs. But according to Katherine Eban, a journalist who has covered the pharmaceutical industry for more than 10 years, generic medications come with some serious health risks and may not be as effective as you think.
![drugs]()
In her book, “Bottle of Lies,” Eban explains that most of the generic medicines being sold in the United States are manufactured largely in India and China, as well as in other countries overseas. While The U.S. Food and Drug Administration claim it holds foreign plants to the same standards as drugmakers in the U.S., Eban’s not so sure. She writes that the FDA often announces its overseas inspections weeks in advance. This practice allows foreign drug plants plenty of time to fabricate data.
“These plants know that [the FDA inspectors] are coming,” she writes. “I discovered [some overseas drug companies] would actually… alter documents, shred them, invent them, in some cases even steaming them overnight to make them look old.”
Eban also notes that some generic drugs are put on the market in the U.S. without proper vetting and describes the FDA as “overwhelmed and under resourced” when it comes to its efforts to ensure the safety of drug production overseas. She strongly advises consumers to research the manufacturers of any generic drug they may be taking. Though, some patients may find that their health care plan will not allow them to switch to brand-name medications, due to cost.
Americans are currently taking more drugs than ever. More than half of U.S. adults regularly take prescription medications, and the average adult takes four. More than 2 million serious adverse drug reactions occur each year in the U.S., leading to 100,000 deaths.
While dangerous side effects are associated with most medications, sometimes, medication is necessary. If you need to take medication, don’t blindly trust your doctor. Always do your research and be an informed consumer.