Not all generic drugs are created equal. Let’s shed light on the issue, together.
Whenever Virginia resident Marilynn Monroe refills her ADHD medication, she feels like she’s “playing Russian Roulette.” Why? Because she’s never certain which version of her medication she’ll receive – and what kinds of undesired side effects she’ll have as a result.
Nine out of 10 prescriptions filled in the U.S. are for generic drugs. This means that millions of people, like Marilynn, rely on generic medications. The assumption is that these drugs are just as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts. In many cases, they are. But not always. What’s more, there are differences from one generic manufacturer to another, and even from one batch to another.
Studies have shown that certain generic drugs can vary in how they’re manufactured, how they’re absorbed, what their dose is, if they contain contaminants, , and what side effects they might cause. For complex conditions like ADHD, these FDA oversight gaps mean that people are often in the dark when it comes to the medications they trust.
That’s where MedShadow comes in.
We’re raising awareness about the risks of some generic medications — not to scare you, but to educate and empower you so that you can make the best decisions for your personal health. Most people don’t know that generic drugs aren’t always identical to brand-name versions. Or that the oversight process for brands and generics is not exactly the same. Or that some generics are sourced from overseas facilities with deeply troubling safety records.
Our goal is simple: Make sure people know what they’re taking.
But we can’t do it alone.
Why Donate?
Your donation will directly support our educational campaign, which aims to:
Empower consumers with expert-powered webinars, thoroughly investigated articles, and thought-provoking videos.
Distribute clear, shareable resources across platforms to reach you, your families and your healthcare providers.
Create pressure for accountability by bringing attention to patient stories and solutions we can all get behind..
MedShadow is a nonprofit committed to advocating for safer prescription and over-the-counter medications. We do not take money from pharmaceutical companies or supplement brands — and never will. Our work is 100% independent, evidence-based, and rooted in public health.
With your support, we can continue publishing essential content, expanding our reach, and informing the public about the risks and realities of generic medications.
There’s no place for mystery in medicine. Your donation empowers people to make safer, more informed choices.
– The MedShadow Team
References:
*Masquelier-Page, A. (2024, September 6). Nearly 2,000 drug plants are overdue for FDA checks after COVID delays, AP finds. The Associated Press.
**Joseph, A., & Hensley, S. (2024, January 25). Inside the investigation into chemotherapy drug asparaginase and its manufacturing flaws. STAT News.
Advocating for change.
@medshadow_foundation Not all ADHD meds are the same. #adhd #adhdmedication #adderalshortage #genericmedicine #journalism ♬ original sound - MedShadow Foundation
Help us make your prescription drugs safer with improved oversight by the FDA.
THE PROBLEM
The Patient
The FDA
The Pharma Business
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WAYS TO HELP
donate
advocate
contribute
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FOLLOW THE FDA STORY
Medicines should be safe and effective for everyone.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are critical gaps in the FDA quality control process that can lead to contaminated drugs that make patients sick. Take a look at how we’re bringing these problems to light and calling on the FDA to address the shortfalls of inspections worldwide.
Tax Information: MedShadow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our tax identification number is EIN 46-1326364
Turning Awareness into Action
Not all prescription and over-the-counter drugs are safe from medical harm.
Yet the FDA faces a backlog of over 2,000 drug manufacturing labs that haven’t been inspected.
And hundreds of drugs that may have been approved based on fraudulent trials are still on the market.
Now is the time to push for better safety standards and prevent further harm.
Helping Close the Gap
Throughout this campaign, we’ll be telling stories, sharing vetted and peer-reviewed research, and educating the public on the important side effects of their medications.
Our goal is to inform, inspire, and empower through clarity and actionable steps that drive meaningful change.
Together, we can work towards a future where 100% of drugs and their manufacturing facilities are tested, where greater transparency is the norm, and where we can trust that the medicines we take are safe and effective.
Maximizing Every Contribution
Not all prescription and over-the-counter drugs are safe from medical harm.
Yet the FDA faces a backlog of over 2,000 drug manufacturing labs that haven’t been inspected.
And hundreds of drugs that may have been approved based on fraudulent trials are still on the market.
Now is the time to push for better safety standards and prevent further harm.
