Generic Drugs Can be Risky, But Not For the Reasons You Think
People worry about generic medication contamination, but most problems arise from how fast and well the drug enters the body
Reports of lead contamination in applesauce triggered my patients to wonder if their generic pills contain dangerous chemicals. Deadly fungal infections from drugs assembled at compounding pharmacies increased their concern that their medications may be infested with microorganisms. Some patients voice alarm that lactose, gluten, or peanut oil in their pills might make them sick.
Many people worry that their medications, particularly generic drugs, are somehow contaminated. The concern is understandable.
Capsules or tablets could contain potentially dangerous substances. Rare individuals can have adverse reactions to the fillers in their pills. Generics made in India or China may not be scrutinized as closely as domestically made pills. Dietary supplements frequently contain unapproved ingredients, largely because they receive less regulatory oversight than prescription medications.
But we have little evidence of widespread contamination of generic drugs. In general, the FDA has a pretty good track record of keeping the American supply of medications safe. Not…
