(NC) You're probably aware of brand drug coupon cards, which promise to give you a brandname drug at the same price as the generic version.

What's actually “free”?

These cards are often promoted as a “free” option.

But a brand drug coupon card doesn't just top up the cost difference between the generic and the brand price. It uses a convoluted payment system, which has historically shown that the brand name company avoids paying the full difference more than 95 per cent of the time.

In fact, in most cases the only thing that's truly “free” is the card or coupon itself.

Consider that if the company “gives” you a card to buy their drug at the generic cost, why don't they just drop their price to that of the generic?

Who really pays?

If your drug plan pays for higher-cost alternatives when a generic version exists, the brand drug coupon pays nothing, and your employer will be charged the full price for your brand name drug — in some cases, four to five times the generic price.

This marketing scheme contributes to higher insurance premiums and leaves less money available to pay for other benefits that you and your family may need, such as vision, dental or expensive specialty medicines.

Choose safe, proven generic drugs

Generic drugs saved Canada's healthcare system close to $15 billion in 2014. But if generic drugs were dispensed at the same percentage as in the United States, an additional $7.9 billion would be saved — money that could go toward hiring more doctors, building more hospitals, and funding innovative medicines for treatments such as cancer or cardiovascular disease.

Together, we can all make healthcare more affordable by making smart choices — starting with choosing generic medicines from a company with a well-established quality track record.

For more information, visit TevaMakesMedicines.ca/CouponCards.

www.newscanada.com