2 Reasons Consumers Can't Help But Waste Money On Brand-Name Drugs - 4 views
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meganbos on 21 Oct 13This article talks about the tendency for consumers to buy name brand drugs. It references the similarities between generic and name brand products, and about how people "believe" in the name brand products and do not trust the generic branded drugs despite the fact that they have exactly the same ingredients in them. In terms of product this article stresses the importance of a brand name and brand image in the consumer's eye. It highlights the fact that consumers are more likely to purchase products that they trust simply because of a logo or a name, even if the product costs substantially more. The article draws the point of how consumers first believe and then are conditioned to only buy name brand products. It brings to light that consumers need to consider the price quality perception and recognize that they are paying much more for exactly the same product.
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Kara Blakley on 23 Oct 13I found this article really relevant to my own life. I almost always buy the brand name product, especially with medications. My brother has just started to buy the Equate or Up&Up versions of Ibuprofen because he looked at the back of the bottle and found both products are made exactly the same. I completely agree with the point Megan pointed out about how we are "conditioned" to buy name brand products. My whole life, my family has always purchased brand name everything - from peanut butter, to toilet paper, to milk - because we perceived better quality with the higher price and brand name to back it up. I do agree with this to an extent that some items are made better or are of higher quality. I have been raised on these products and trust them, but I am definitely going to re-examine some of my product purchases in the future so I can save money but not trade down on quality and effectiveness.
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Sarah Jacobsma on 24 Oct 13I agree with Megan's statement: "It brings to light that consumers need to consider the price quality perception and recognize that they are paying much more for exactly the same product." As a consumer we typically go for name brands but what we need to realize that some products -- like medication are the same. I agree that "brand names" mean a lot to people and sometimes I don't get why. I usually go for a generic brand especially when the ingredients are the same as the brand name - it just depends on the product and a consumers willingness to stray from what they know. It would be interesting to do a blind fold experiment on many brand name products versus off brand products and see what consumers prefer.
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Lina Goens on 24 Oct 13I'm not a sucker! Always buy generic.
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Sarah Wesp on 24 Oct 13It often depends on what I'm buying, but if I can get the generic, knowing it works the same, I will buy that product over the brand name. For this example specifically, it is often a mind game with patients, just like the article said. If you have the attitude that you are going to get better by taking Advil instead of Ibuprofen, then you probably will get better. On the other hand, if you have the attitude that you are not get better by taking Ibuprofen, then chances are you may not because people get it in their head that they will not get better with the certain medication even though it is the same thing. Seems pretty crazy, but it's true. So I can see where people are more apt to buy the brand name products due to that perception they have of that product.
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Paige Laughlin on 24 Oct 13I totally agree with what Sarah said about it depending on what I'm buying. If I'm just getting ibuprofen, I will almost always get the generic brand from target or cvs. However, if I'm getting really any other sickness medications, I will get the brand name. Somehow it's always been in my head, like the article states, that those brands are better and will be more effective. I also think, for our generation, it depends on what we've grown up with. My parents normally buy brand name medicines (other than Advil), and I know my grandma will always get the brand names, no exceptions. It's interesting to see how people feel about this kind of thing.
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Thomas Holmes on 24 Oct 13Having dealt with migraines most of my life I was always used to grabbing Excedrin when I was at home because that is what my Dad kept around for his migraines. After coming to college and really being budgeted I found myself trying the off brand migraine relief medicines. I was hesitant but when it came down to it I found comparable relief with each and now get to enjoy the extra few dollars in my pocket. I think a lot of it was that I just grew up with a certain brand in the house so I think it matters what your parents buy because when it comes to you buying on your own it is often what you remember using. If my Dad had used off brand medications then I am sure I would have just continued that trend right off the bat and not hesitated on getting them.
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Emily Prellwitz on 29 Oct 13This trend shows through with not only brand name drugs vs. generic drugs, but also with just about every kind of consumer product. It shows through with different kinds of food and drinks as well. It is very hard to tell the difference between Diet Sam's Club soda and Diet Coke, however we all tend to go with the brand name Coke product instead. This shows how consumers stick with what they trust even though the other option might be the same.