We, humans, don’t see the products actually. We notice the packaging and create an image in our mind linked to that product. When we think about that specific product or go to buy that product, the image flashes in the mind. We compare the product with that image, and we buy it. But medicine is not just a product; it is related to the health and life of someone. So it’s better to check the name of the drug content, which is known as the generic name of the medicine. Brand name doesn’t reveal the product’s nature. Sometimes a similar kind of packaging and brand names may contain totally different drugs.
I will share with you two stories.
Story number one is about a pregnant lady. A pregnant lady went to the PHC for a regular check-up. After her check-up was completed, some strips of folic acid and iron tablets were given. She advised continuing the medicines up to the next visit. When she visited the PHC again, somehow they found out that the tablets she had taken for a month didn’t contain iron and folic acid. Those strips contained antihypertensive drugs, which had the same kind of packaging.
Moral of the story: Any two medicinal products with similar packaging don’t always contain the same medicine.
Story number two is about my father, who went to a pharmacy to buy some enzyme tablets. He asked for a specific brand he used to take, but that wasn’t available at that time. So the shopkeeper suggested a medicine with a brand name that with some “zyme” and said, “It is now best in the market”. My father bought that medicine and came back. When I checked the label, there was no enzyme present at all. That product contains a totally different kind of drug.
Moral of the story: Brand names don’t represent the nature of drugs.
So be aware. Before taking any medicine, check the label for drug content. Share your experience
MBH/PS