@JimJ439704
Unless you can prove a mistake in the actual Rx, most pharmacies aren't gonna take it back - especially a mail order pharmacy.
Yes, most large pharmacies and even the VA Health System, will get the generic that gives them the best price and this can change because of continuing negotiations. The FDA says that any generic has to be effectively the same (bioequivalent) as the brand that it replaces. But yes, the fillers or inactive ingredients may change.
A generic drug must also:
- Be identical to the brand-name drug in strength, dosage form, and how you take the drug.
- Be prescribed for the same conditions and in the same way as brand-name drugs for those conditions
- Meet the same requirements for identity, strength, purity, and quality as the brand-name drug
- Be manufactured under the same standards of the FDA’s good manufacturing practice regulations required for brand-name products
The generic has to produce the same effects as the brand - meaning that if you have an Rx for the time-release version, the generic has to also match that qualifier.
It sounds like you are on top of verifying any new "look" that the pharmacy might send to you. I was only mentioning that so that you verify that they did send you the correct medication - mistakes do happen. But it sounds like you have that covered.
GoodRx - Some Zolipdem Images
I don't know what else to tell you - except that yes, if you deal with a local pharmacy, you can refuse the med at the counter - your doc could also only prescribe the brand but at a higher price.
As an asside - if Medicare starts negotiating the cost of drugs to cut down on cost - any options for generic choice could be limited by the manufacturer that gives the best price.
I am still wondering if some concerned, sympathetic pharmacist in your area might have some other suggestions on the ineffectiveness of this particular batch of generics.
So do the ones from Optum look identical to the ones that you got from Costco? If you look them up and compare them in look and active ingredients or any other specifics like time-release versions - are they they same?
Seems some on this Zolpidem User Review site have the same complaints.
https://www.drugs.com/comments/zolpidem/for-insomnia.html
If you could prove some difference(s) from your actual Rx, you might have a shot of getting some financial restitution from Optum - but it may be a long battle.
It's Always Something . . . . Roseanna Roseannadanna