Generic drugs aren't held to same standards as name-brand drugs

SPRINGFIELD, Mo -- Cheap drugs and limited liability--Generic drug makers have made it affordable for many Americans to get the medicine they need, but what happens when they make a drug that causes harm?

Should generic drug makers be held to the same standard as name brand drug makers? According to the Supreme Court the answer is no. That decision--made more than a year ago--is trickling down to lawsuits all over the country.

Chances are if you have a prescription bottle at home it could contain a generic form of the drug.

"Right now about 75-80% of all drugs are generic drugs,"said lawyer Grant Rahmeyer.

Generic drugs have become popular over the years. It is partially due to the Hatch-Waxman Act at the federal level back in the 1980's.

"Prescription drug costs were just skyrocketing out of control. They did everything they could to push more generic drugs out into the market. It's been extremely successful," said Rahmeyer.

"I think it comes down to one thing and that's drug costs," said Mercy Drug Information Specialist Terry Baker. "Generic drugs saved $193 billion dollars in 2011."

A little known Supreme Court ruling nearly a year ago has put generic drugs in the spotlight today.

"It creates a very odd, odd situation. It doesn't make a lot of sense," said Rahmeyer.

Many lawsuits are now being dismissed across the country dealing with generic drug makers.

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Generic drugs aren't held to same standards as name-brand drugs