Generic Anastrozole

Morgan · 04-02-2011, 05:10 AM

Hi, I'm from the UK and went to pick up my prescription of Arimidex today only to find I have been given Anastrozole manufactured by TEVA. I am not sure how I should feel about this but I'm not happy!! My 5 years on Arimidex was up in February but I asked to continue and was allowed for at least another year.

I understand that due to cost issues this might be welcomed in the US and other countries but as this is not the case in the UK, would you rather have Arimidex or would you not mind? I'm just worried in case the generic version does not work as well :-(

Any views on this would be appreciated.

Thanks
Morgan

LoisLane · 04-02-2011, 07:48 AM

Hi Morgan. My pharmacy also switched me from Femara to Letrozole because now my insurance wants to pay for the generic brand. I was a little concerned too because I was so used to taking the Femara I also wondered "will it work as well" my oncologist and the oncology pharmacist at my hospital said no problem does the same thing. By the way cant wait for the wedding. I will be up here at 5:30 a.m. I was in England when Charles and Diana were married. My sister and I slept on the sidewalk to get a good view of the procession when they went by in their carriages. Oh the foolish things we do in our youth. What a blast we had though. Anyway my darling do not fret and keep positive. Best wishes from Toronto Lois

tricia keegan · 04-02-2011, 03:43 PM

Hi,

I live in Ireland and still getting arimidex here but many of my friends from another U.S site take the generic and find it okay and have no problems so far

Jackie07 · 04-02-2011, 03:57 PM

I use generic medicine whenever it's available. The only difference is the manufacturer of the drug. The Generic form of medicine becomes available once the patent expires.

O, and the cost. My current health plan charges $7.00 for a 30-day supply of generic form of Tamoxifen. [I think Blue Cross Blue Shield had charged me $4.00 for the same thing.]

Most insurance companies will not pay for the brand name drug if a generic form is available.

See the explanation in Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_drug

Barbara2 · 04-03-2011, 09:08 PM

I was also concerned when I received the generic for Arimidex in July 2010. I called my onc's office and was reassured that the generic was fine and that the onc was now prescribing the generic for everyone that had been using Arimidex.

And what a difference in cost! Arimidex had been $409.49; Anastrozole is $25.50.