FTC ON GENERICS: TURN TO PHARMACISTS FOR ASSISTANCE

Patients hoping to lower their prescription drug expenses should turn to their pharmacists for help, regulators at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in a fact sheet being made available to patients throughout the country. Noting that physicians may not always prescribe more cost-effective generic drugs, the advisory tells patients that "your pharmacist can talk with your doctor about the prescription."

Prepared by the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, the new fact sheet suggests that pharmacists may be savvier about generics than many physicians. "Perhaps there's an acceptable generic drug that your doctor is unaware of," the fact sheet explains. "Your pharmacist can compare and evaluate generic and brand name drugs and may be able to consult with your doctor to provide the right medication at the best possible price."