Branded pharmaceuticals versus own brand (supermarket etc)

I get migraines from time to time and the only thing that works is paracetamol and codeine, it really is amazing.

My preference is solphadine soluble as it works faster, 2 tablets then a hot shower direct onto my forehead for 15 minutes to numb it up a bit then lie in a pitch black room for an hour or so.

I really do hate migraines sometimes :p
 
I must say I cannot understand why anyone would want the pure EtOH - proper alcoholic drinks are far more tasty.

Aldrich do have a good range but they are one of the more expensive chemical suppliers and they (or indeed any major chemical supplier) will not sell to just anyone. I looked into setting up a custom chemical synthesis company at one point and the regulations are incredible.
 
I recently had tonsilitus and was prescribed 500/30's codeine painkillers. They didn't touch me, so i had some of my GF's painkillers. 30mins later high as a kite, i can see why they are addictive.

The benefits of an American girlfriend with acute back pain, no shortage of powerful painkillers.
 
My sister has worked for
Pfizer
Novartis
and now works for Sanofi Aventis.

They all make BILLIONS out of branding.

Neurofen is just ibuprofen in a fancy packaging.
A pack of 16 generic ibuprofen costs 16p in my netto, neurofen is more like £3-4
 
RobH said:
I know that 15p paracetamol does nothing to me so I buy the stronger branded ones which aren't too expensive because there is a lot of competition in that area. My mum suffers from headaches so I think it's genetic as I can remember growing up and getting headaches and being given child medication that did nothing to me.
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The branded ones will most likely contain caffine or something to that effect.
 
ste_bla said:
The question is why not say 1g instead of 1000mg?
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As someone else said, it's a standard unit in the pharmaceutical industry, but it also stops the general public getting confused. Not everyone knows that 1g is 1000mg, so you really need to have a standard representation of mass.

As far as the question in the OP, I think a lot of it is about research. Pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of money on R&D to improve their drugs, which is why we see things such as fast acting paracetamol. There is also frequently a difference in appearance between branded and generic drugs, for example, compare Boots own brand paracetamol and codeine to pink migraleve. Both contain exactly the same drugs, but the own brand are very powdery, which makes them a lot more difficult to swallow. I've found the same with most own brand paracetamol, and as a result I prefer to buy branded because if I already feel ill I don't want pain killers to make me feel sick too!
 
jamoor said:
My sister has worked for
Pfizer
Novartis
and now works for Sanofi Aventis.

They all make BILLIONS out of branding.

Neurofen is just ibuprofen in a fancy packaging.
A pack of 16 generic ibuprofen costs 16p in my netto, neurofen is more like £3-4
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I work at Pfizer currently

I wouldnt say they make Billions out of branding. Lets say to produce a drug fit for sale it takes 20years, if a patent is 25 years they only have 5 years to make back the money they spent in the last 20years in RnD. After the patent is up small cheap companies just basically steel the info and make the drug and there for dont have to waste the 20 years RnD and the money theat goes along with it.

Generic is the same compound, just different release mechanisms might make one better than the other. I never buy branded stuff, i see no need, all the generic componds work fine.
 
Tefal said:
So presumably you use it at work not just order it yourself at home?

Tastes like vodka but warm too :)
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yeah, a bit too concentrated to drink.

to snail1: tell me about it - regulations are killing the chemical industry in this country. its just not worth the hassle and expense to do research for many companies anymore.
 
I bought a tub of 10,000 500mg strength Ibrupofen tablets from one of the US air bases round here for $4.99 4 years ago. Still got loads left!
 
sbi5ar said:
I work at Pfizer currently

I wouldnt say they make Billions out of branding. Lets say to produce a drug fit for sale it takes 20years, if a patent is 25 years they only have 5 years to make back the money they spent in the last 20years in RnD. After the patent is up small cheap companies just basically steel the info and make the drug and there for dont have to waste the 20 years RnD and the money theat goes along with it.

Generic is the same compound, just different release mechanisms might make one better than the other. I never buy branded stuff, i see no need, all the generic componds work fine.
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But what research is required to make money on ibuprofen?

On new drugs, yes, they spend lots and then need to make it back, but on generic stuff, it's all profit
 
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