Some name-brand prescription and non-prescription drugs have less-expensive generic equivalents. You can often buy a drug under its brand name, or purchase the same drug under its chemical name, and save as much as 50%, depending upon the specific medicine. (Some drugs have no generic alternative.)

The savings occur because makers of generic drugs spend little on advertising and marketing their products. Not all drugs are available as generics, but many are. Ask your doctor to prescribe generic drugs whenever possible to save money. Do the research yourself, on the Web or at your pharmacy, to find out what generic drugs are available to treat your specific condition.

Large retail chains, including major drugstores and many mass merchandisers, carry their own brand of non-prescription drugs, including pain relievers, antacids, and antibiotics. These too are generics, and they're usually much less expensive than other brands. Some mega-retailers also have their own brands of prescription drugs. (Compare prices of generics at various websites and stores as prices can vary considerably.)

Don't worry about the reliability of generic drugs. They're approved by governmental and non-governmental organizations. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), federal law requires that generic products be the same as the original brand name drug in terms of active ingredients, strength, dosage form, and route of administration.

New drugs are typically not available as generics because they can't be sold outside the original brand name until certain patents expire. If you have to buy a brand-name drug, find out when it's likely to become available as a generic.

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