Posted by Rick on March 17, 2004, at 11:28:50
In reply to Re: Opinions on Klonopin/clonazepam - Canadian??, posted by Tony P on March 17, 2004, at 2:46:42
> My clonazepam (2 mg, white, with a G on the tablet) just says "GEN" for the manufacturer on the pharmacist's label, but this may actually mean a manufacturer's name starting with "Gen", as usually he puts the first 3-4 letters of the source co.'s name, e.g. "APO", "NOVO" etc.
>NOTE: I am in Canada, so these would be Canadian generic co's. Any Canadian experience out there with generic vs brand-name?
It could be for Geneva Generics, which was recently renamed Sandoz for the company that makes it.
> I will ask my pharmacist as he is usually quite knowledgeable about such differences. Unfortunately, in B.C., to get non-generic, the Dr. has to fill out a government form specifiying why the brand name is medically required. (Rant follows!)
Does the clonazepam you have seem acceptable?
> RANT: They call this "reference-based pricing", which means some semi-anonymous reference board has decided X is "just as good" as Y. I'm all in favour of saving costs to consumer OR government by using generics where quality is demonstrably similar, but this goes far beyond that. My mother had to take short acting NSAIDs for arthritis, because they were "just as good as" the extended release form. Last time I checked, Wellbutrin and other atypical A/D's were not covered by the BC Govt. program (which kicks in when your annual Rx costs get above a fairly high level) - because other older A/Ds were "just as good"! Apparently nobody told that that some people react differently ....
> END OF RANT.I can see why you're frustrated! Is there an appeals process for special cases? I know that U.S. insurance companies, whose co-pays have been skyrocketing for brand names, allow appeals demonstrating medical necessity, and sometimes you'll get lucky and the appeal will be accepted.
Rick
poster:Rick
thread:323934
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040313/msgs/325269.html