Generic drugs

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(0 min 54 s)

Note: The information in brackets describes the visual and audio content of the video, and the rest of the text corresponds to spoken content.

[Situation: Throughout the video, a narrator explains how Paul saved money on his prescription drugs.]

[Action: Paul walks up to a pharmacy counter to pay for his prescriptions.]

This morning when Paul bought his cholesterol pills, he paid $13 less than he usually does. What was it? A miracle? No, it was nothing miraculous.

[Action: Paul falls from a cloud and lands in a pharmacy.]

It’s just that this morning, Paul asked his pharmacist for the generic version of the drug. And if he keeps doing that, he’ll be $156 richer by the end of the year, at no cost to his health.

[Action: Paul plays golf.]

[Image: A generic drug is shown next to a brand-name drug, with an equals sign between them.]

Generic drugs are just as effective as brand name drugs. They contain the same active ingredients, in the same amounts, and they are subject to same federal standards for quality and effectiveness.

[Action: A pill changes shape and colour.]

So what’s the difference? Not much, just the shape, the colour and the price.

[Text: A money saving tip.]

If you’re like Paul, and you want to pay less for your medications, ask your pharmacist: "Can I have the generic drug, please?"

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