Are the Unfamiliar Brands of Drugs Found in the Discounter Shops Any Good?
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I used to buy the market brand leaders, such as Lemsip, Nurofen and Benadryl, but they are often quite expensive, so I switched to buying lesser known branded drugs and though I can't say they work as fast, I think they work
Do you buy these as well?
I think as long as the active ingredient is the same I'd go for it. On a recent trip to the Gambia the doctors prescription for malaria tablets was really pricy. My friend recommended travel pharm which sells unbranded and we were all fine and saved a small fortune!
ah yes, that happened to my cousin when she went to Kenya, and the doctor prescribed her something really expensive - mind you, it was her first time, so I guess she never wanted to chance it
What is the unbranded solution for malaria? It is very expensive....Paid 62pounds for 10days
AgnesFaludi deepens what you prefer based on side effects - mefloquin (lariam) around £25. (Malarone) - Atovaquone and Proguanil - around £27. Doxycycline Around £30. Can read up on the side effects and get an online consultation. Iv used travelpharm several times and never had a issue. Mefloquin gets a bad rap in the press but I didn't have any issues, but definitely check to see if it's suitable. Also that cost is based roughly on what you would need for 10 days including taking it before and after!
There was a documentary on recently where a couple of doctors proved that cheaper brands not so well known ARE as good as the well known brands. They all contain same ingredients and work same way and save you a fortune.
I'd say from a consumer perspective, they'd have to sell things that do the job, because if they didn't then that is certainly breach of the consumer rights act. Pharmaceuticals make so much money from people's woes!
My memory is a bit fuzzy on this but I think all medicine has to have a "PL number" unique to that particular combination of drugs.
So if an own-brand Lemsip has the same PL number (should be on the box) as Lemsip-proper then you should be good to go - theoretically identical 
Very interesting Kelsey I'll be trying that out I spend a fortune on lemsip max as hubby is convinced it's the only thing that works!
thanks for sharing - found lads of info about this online. In addition there is some info from the govenrment that will help: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/know-what-youre-buying
I often buy the cheaper versions as I am guessing if they are allowed to sell them, they should work and be safe - or they will get sued!
indeed! the compensation culture that we have now certainly paves the way to ensure further restrictions and clarity
Generic brands of medication are the same as big brands as long as the active ingredient is the same. For example look for loratidine or ceterazine for hay fever medication. Paracetamol instead of Calpol. Lemsip is just lemon water and paracetamol (possibly a decongestant too actually not 100% sure)
I will admit I do think Lemsip is stronger than the lesser known brands, but certainly not work paying 3 times more for
It is about the packaging...lots of painkillers say...this is for this pain, that pain, but it is just for pain they showed this on the TV also the painkiller is not faster or more active than the normal one. It is all clever marketing to get the expensive brand, instead of the cheap supermarket alternative.
I agree - all the extra money goes towards the things that dupe the public into buying the products...at least we are getting cleverer with identifying that 
You can also buy medication for your pet unbranded way cheaper, my friends was quoted 110 from the vet, looked online for the active ingredient and got it from a reputable .uk seller online for a quarter of the cost.
that's a great point - pet medication is so expensive, and I'm sure I'm getting conned whenever I pay for it, as it is way more expensive than medicine for humans!
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