FDA: U.S. generics better buy than Canada drugs

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FDA: U.S. generics better buy than Canada drugs

Americans who buy drugs in Canada in hopes of saving money could pay significantly more for certain medicines than if they had purchased generic versions at home.

Canadian price controls mean that brand-name drugs there can cost as little as half the U.S. price.

Generic versions cost much less than their brand-name counterparts, however, and the U.S. generics market is considered the world's most competitive.

Xanax had the highest disparity. The Canadian brand was roughly nine times the price, per milligram, of the U.S. generic. Next was Vasotec, five times the price of the U.S. generic.

Glucophage was the exception. The U.S. generic actually cost 39 percent more per milligram than Canada's brand-name version.

Using generics is not an alternative for everyone because new drugs sell for several years before generic competition is allowed.

NOTE: This report is mostly based on quotes from the FDA, a government agency that some would say is influenced by politics. However, U.S. generic drugs may actually be cheaper in some cases than the Canadian brand name counterpart. For the best deal on price, do a search for a particular drug on our website and we'll tell you which source is currently cheaper.