How to Check If a Generic Medication Is Available for Your Prescription

Every year, millions of people in Australia and around the world pay hundreds of dollars more than they need to for their prescriptions-just because they don’t know a cheaper, equally effective version exists. If you’ve ever looked at your pharmacy receipt and thought, “Why is this so expensive?”, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s almost always a generic medication available that works just as well-and costs up to 85% less.

What Exactly Is a Generic Medication?

A generic medication is the exact same drug as the brand-name version, just sold under its chemical name instead of a catchy brand name. It contains the same active ingredient, in the same strength, and works the same way in your body. Whether it’s metformin for diabetes, lisinopril for high blood pressure, or sertraline for depression, the science behind it doesn’t change.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires generics to meet the same strict standards as brand-name drugs. They must be pharmaceutically equivalent-same active ingredient, dosage form, strength, and route of administration-and bioequivalent, meaning your body absorbs it at the same rate and to the same extent as the brand. The FDA allows a tiny variation-between 80% and 125%-in how much of the drug enters your bloodstream. That’s not a flaw; it’s normal biological variation, even between different batches of the same brand-name drug.

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) handles this oversight. You’ll see the word “generic” on the label, or the active ingredient listed clearly. Many pharmacies automatically substitute generics unless your doctor writes “dispense as written” or “no substitution.”

Why Aren’t All Drugs Generic Yet?

Not every brand-name drug has a generic version-yet. That’s because drug companies hold patents that protect them from competition for a set period. In most cases, that’s 20 years from the patent filing date, but with extensions and legal maneuvers, some drugs stay exclusive for longer.

As of late 2023, about 96% of FDA-approved drugs have generic versions available. But the remaining 4% are still under patent protection. These are often newer medications for conditions like cancer, rare diseases, or complex biologics (like insulin or rheumatoid arthritis drugs). Even then, biosimilars-similar but not identical versions of biologic drugs-are starting to appear, offering more affordable options.

In Australia, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) regularly reviews which drugs can be listed as generics. If your prescription is covered by PBS, you’re likely already getting a generic unless specified otherwise.

How to Check If a Generic Is Available for Your Prescription

You don’t need to be a pharmacist or a scientist to find out if a cheaper version exists. Here’s how to do it, step by step.

1. Ask Your Pharmacist First

This is the fastest, most reliable method. Pharmacists have real-time access to databases that tell them exactly which generics are approved, available, and covered by your insurance or PBS. They see this information every day.

When you hand over your prescription, say: “Is there a generic version of this medication available that’s approved as interchangeable?” Don’t just ask, “Do you have a cheaper one?”-that’s too vague. You want to know if it’s therapeutically equivalent.

In Australia, pharmacists are trained to offer substitutions under PBS rules. If your script is for a brand-name drug that has a PBS-listed generic, they’ll automatically switch it unless you or your doctor says no. If they don’t mention it, ask.

2. Use the PBS Website

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has a public search tool that lets you look up any medication and see if it’s subsidised-and whether a generic version is available.

Go to pbs.gov.au and type in your drug’s brand name. If a generic is listed, it will appear with the same active ingredient and price. For example, if you search for “Lipitor,” you’ll see “atorvastatin” listed as the generic, with the same subsidy level.

This tool also shows you the maximum you’ll pay out-of-pocket, whether you’re a concession card holder or a general patient. If the generic isn’t listed, it might not be approved yet-or your doctor may have prescribed a brand that’s not substitutable.

3. Check the Active Ingredient

Brand names are designed to be memorable. Generic names are not. But they’re the key to finding savings.

If your prescription says “Zoloft,” the active ingredient is sertraline. “Celebrex” is celecoxib. “Lipitor” is atorvastatin. Once you know the active ingredient, you can search for it directly in pharmacy apps, PBS, or even Google.

Many people don’t realize that two different brand-name drugs can have the same active ingredient. For example, both Zoloft and generic sertraline treat depression. But so do other brands like Lustral (sold in Europe). The active ingredient is what matters.

4. Use Online Tools Like GoodRx or ScriptSave

While not as official as PBS or FDA databases, tools like GoodRx (used widely in the U.S.) and local Australian apps like ScriptSave or MyMediList can show you price comparisons between brand and generic versions at nearby pharmacies.

These apps don’t always tell you if a generic is therapeutically equivalent, but they do show you which version is cheapest at your local Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart, or independent pharmacy. Sometimes, even a brand-name drug is cheaper than a generic from another manufacturer-especially if there’s a discount or coupon.

5. Talk to Your Doctor

Your doctor is your best ally. Some medications-like warfarin, levothyroxine, or certain epilepsy drugs-are sensitive to small changes in how they’re absorbed. In these cases, switching generics might require closer monitoring.

If you’re concerned, say: “I’d like to save money if possible. Is there a generic version of this that’s safe for me to use?” Your doctor can check the therapeutic equivalence and let you know if switching is safe. They can also write a new prescription for the generic if needed.

What Do Those Letters Mean? Understanding the Orange Book (and the TGA Equivalent)

In the U.S., the FDA’s Orange Book uses codes like “AB” or “BX” to show whether a generic is fully interchangeable. Australia doesn’t use the same system, but the TGA does classify generics as “substitutable” or “non-substitutable.”

In Australia, if a generic is listed on the PBS as “substitutable,” it means pharmacists can swap it in without needing your doctor’s permission. If it’s marked “non-substitutable,” your doctor has flagged it as needing the brand name-usually because of safety concerns.

You won’t see these codes on your prescription, but your pharmacist will know. If you’re curious, ask: “Is this generic listed as substitutable under PBS?”

When Generics Might Not Be the Best Choice

Most of the time, generics are perfectly safe. But there are exceptions.

Some drugs have a “narrow therapeutic index”-meaning the difference between a dose that works and one that’s harmful is very small. These include:

• Warfarin (blood thinner)
• Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone)
• Phenytoin (for seizures)
• Lithium (for bipolar disorder)

For these, even tiny changes in how the drug is absorbed can affect your health. If you’ve been stable on a brand-name version, your doctor may prefer you stay on it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t switch-it just means you need to be monitored more closely.

If you’ve had bad reactions to a generic before, tell your doctor and pharmacist. Your experience matters.

How Much Can You Really Save?

The numbers speak for themselves.

In Australia, the average PBS co-payment for a general patient is $32.10 for a 30-day supply. But if you’re on a concession card, it’s just $7.50. Many brand-name drugs cost over $100 without PBS subsidy.

Switching to a generic can cut your cost by 70-90%. For example:

• Brand-name Nexium (esomeprazole): $110 for 30 tablets (without PBS)
• Generic esomeprazole: $15 for 30 tablets (PBS-listed)

That’s $95 saved per month. For someone taking multiple medications, that adds up to hundreds-or even thousands-of dollars a year.

What to Do If Your Pharmacy Refuses to Substitute

Sometimes, pharmacies won’t switch your medication-even when a generic is available. This can happen if:

• The doctor wrote “do not substitute” on the script
• The pharmacy ran out of the generic
• They’re not aware of the PBS listing

If you’re being charged more than you should be, ask for a price check. If they say no, ask to speak to the manager. You can also call the PBS helpline at 1800 500 128 for help.

You have the right to request the cheapest available option that’s approved for your condition. Pharmacists are required to inform you of your options.

Final Tip: Keep a List

Write down every medication you take-brand name and generic version, if you’ve switched. Include the dosage and how often you take it. Keep this list in your wallet or phone.

When you get a new prescription, pull it out and ask: “Is there a generic version of this?” Make it a habit. Over time, you’ll save hundreds, maybe thousands, without changing how you feel or what you take.