I'd like to point out that sometimes a "regular" generic is not an option. For instance, anyone who has a sensitivity to one of the non-active ingredients in a medication is going to jump through a lot of hoops to find medication they can take - including decreased outcomes because of "noncompliance". It is very hard to get approval for compounded medication either through private insurance or through medicare or medicaid. I'm thinking specifically of microcrystalline cellulose, but there are other problematic fillers used in medication.