How Many Milligrams Are You On?

[Thelma]

I just read an article in the ny times regarding the generically manufactured extended release medications. The article deals with the generic form of Wellbutrin at the 300 mg dose. The FDA found that the generic medication did not provide the same delivery as the brand medication.

When I was on OxyContin the generic form was pulled off the market for similar reasons. The manufacturers of brand medication have a patent on the extended release formula that outlasts the regular patent for the medication itself. When a patent for an extended release medicine expires, pharmaceutical manufactures use the main ingredient and attempt to develop their own version of the extended release mechanism. Not all of them get it right. While patients notice the difference in the generic medication, their voice may not be heard.