The Truth Behind Misconceptions on Generic Medicine

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When it comes to therapeutics, Filipinos have many misconceptions surrounding generic medicines. According to a survey, more than 70% of Filipino respondents prefer branded medicines while only 15% prefer generic drugs. This study also found that only 7% of the participants know the correct definition of “generic drug” and almost half of 48% believes that generic medicines are less effective than branded medicines. 

A homegrown heritage brand and a pioneer in the generics industry, RHEA Generics’ goal has been to empower Filipinos to prioritize their health and wellness within their means. Furthermore, the company advocates the use of relatively affordable medicines that could help Filipinos prevent illnesses or boost their immunity as much as branded medicines could. 

With this, here are some of the top misconceptions on generic medicines debunked by RHEA Generics:

THE MYTH: Generic medicines are not as effective as branded medicine

The TRUTH: Generic medicines are as effective as branded medicines because both use the same active ingredient. The Philippine Law on Generics also known as the Generics Acts of 1988 defines active ingredients as the chemical component of medicines that is responsible for the therapeutic effect of any pharmaceutical product thus, emphasizing that the composition of both generic and branded products are equally potent and efficient.

THE MYTH: Generic Medicines are not safe

The TRUTH: Through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all medicines, whether it is branded or generic, go through a series of inspections and approval processes, usually taking around 60 days up to six months,  to assure that these drugs are safe and of the highest quality.

Likewise, the FDA regularly ensures that pharmaceutical products and establishments in the market comply with high-quality standards with good manufacturing practices. Through the post marketing surveillance, FDA inspects drug establishments verifying that all products are FDA-registered and safe for consumption.

As a trusted Filipino medicine brand, RHEA Generics also goes through the same rigorous process to assure that all medicines distributed are safe and of world-class-quality.

THE MYTH: Generic Medicines are sold at low price because it is low-quality

The TRUTH: Generic medicines are cheaper since these drugs are distributed without the patent protection making it much cheaper than branded medicines. Patent protection provides an exclusive right for the distribution of a certain product. This simply means that generic drugs are based on a developed branded medicine whose patent protection rights have expired thus, cutting a huge cost in developing and marketing new medicines.

In a report by the Department of Health, it was revealed that 99% of Filipinos refuse to buy their prescription medicines because of its expensive price with 71% allotting less than P1,000 for their monthly medical supplies.

With the goal to help Filipinos attain affordable healthcare, RHEA Generics provides world-class quality and safe health products. RHEA Generics, one of the Philippines’ most trusted names in the field of generic medicine, producing unibranded medicines.

RHEA Generics has partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Viatris, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim to assure world-class-quality medical products for every Filipino.

There are many other misconceptions about generic medicines that we still believe nowadays but we definitely can’t risk our health by. When in doubt, we encourage you to seek medical professional health to ensure proper diagnosis and medication.

To know more and purchase RHEA Generics medicines, visit the nearest Mercury Drug store near you.

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About RHEA Generics

With more than 40 years in the industry of producing quality and affordable medicine, RHEA Generics is one of the most trusted names in health and wellness in the Philippines. It has partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Viatris, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim to provide world-class medicine for the Filipinos.

 

 

 

Stay healthy and well amid the rainy season with these 4 important steps

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Everyone is urged to be always ready for the rainy season, especially when more viruses and bacteria are present. WILD diseases, which refer to Water and foodborne illnesses, Influenza, Leptospirosis, and Dengue increase during this time. Thankfully, we can stay protected by just following a few easy, and even affordable tips from RHEA Generics, one of the Philippines’ most trusted names in the field of generic medicine.

Eat green leafy vegetables for maximum immunity

According to one of the studies in Nature Communications, a journal about Earth sciences, it shows that during the rainy season or colder months, our immune system is at an increased risk of being compromised. Scientists’ research from Yale University explains that there are many reasons behind this and one of the most common ones is due to the cold air affecting our nose’s first line of defense wherein cracks in the mucus membrane form, thus allowing infections to enter our body more easily. To minimize the risk of infection, the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Nutrition Council recommends eating vegetables that are rich in micronutrients such as vitamins C and D, zinc, and iron, which are essential in powering our immune system.

Drink plenty of water

Although the rainy season seems like a perfect excuse to skip drinking water because of the cold weather, experts say you shouldn’t. The cold can still lead to dehydration due to sweating and added urine production and we don’t even realize it. This could be troublesome when water is important in flushing out toxins that can contribute to us becoming sick. For women, the Institute of Medicine in the United States recommends drinking 2.7 liters of water and then 3.7 liters for men.

Avoid walking in flooded areas

For the past 10 years, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports that at least 14 Filipinos die every day from water-borne diseases. Leptospirosis, typhoid fever, and cholera are just a few of the most common ones we can get through contaminated flood waters. To prevent catching these deadly diseases, the DOH reminds us to avoid walking in flooded areas or at least wear protective clothing or footwear like raincoats and boots. If unavoidable, wash your legs and feet with soap as soon as you can. This is especially important for people that have open wounds or lacerations on the lower parts of their body since these increase the chances of infection.

Take the necessary medicines to recover quickly

From the official report of DOH, the rainy season is the perfect breeding ground for communicable diseases. Although we can stay healthy by eating vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding the rain altogether, our bodies still require an added layer of defense. According to research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, one of the best ways to do so is to strengthen ourselves by taking vitamins and medicine, which are essential in helping our cells produce more antioxidants and antibodies. But in case you do catch a rainy-day illness and it worsens, you should consult your doctor immediately to receive proper medication. There are generic medicines that can help cure bacterial infections or clear obstructed airways caused by respiratory illnesses common this season. As for overall body pains, ease them with pain relievers. There are more medicines available to choose from but other options are not as affordable.

In 2019 alone, the Philippines was found to have the second-most expensive drugs in all of Southeast Asia and was even accompanied by a 13.7% price increase according to the Mercer Marsh Benefits report and during the pandemic, it became much worse. The ongoing rainy season poses a great ordeal for many Filipinos.

Fortunately, some medications do not have to cost an arm and a leg. Generic medicine is a great alternative to branded medicine, and in the Philippines, we have one of the most trusted brands that provide generic medicine, RHEA Generics. A homegrown brand with over 40 years of experience in producing quality and affordable medicine, RHEA Generics is able to offer affordable medicine because its products are unibranded.

Unibranded medicine is just the same as branded medicine but is way cheaper because they are only marketed under one brand. In RHEA Generics’ case, they are partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim, so you can guarantee yourselves that their products are truly world-class.

To know more and purchase RHEA Generics medicines, you can drop by the nearest Mercury Drug store near you. Always make sure to only purchase medicine with a doctor’s prescription as medicine taken without one can be harmful.

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About RHEA Generics

With more than 40 years in the industry of producing quality and affordable medicine, RHEA Generics is one of the most trusted names in health and wellness in the Philippines. It has partnered with some of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Sanofi, GSK, Otsuka, Merck, Fresenius Kabi, AstraZeneca, OEP, Lundbeck and Boehringer Ingelheim to provide world-class medicine for the Filipinos.