Americans who complain about prescription drugs in their pharmacy fall into more myth than fact.  Here are nine pervasive myths on drugs and the pharmacies that deliver them:

Myth #1: The United States Has the Worlds Most Expensive Drugs

In fact, drug prices in the US are similar to that of most other countries.  An economist has found that Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and Sweden have higher drug prices on average.

Myth #2: Seniors Pay Too Much for Drugs

According to a study, 65 percent of individuals on Medicare have a prescription drug plan which assists in their purchasing of prescription drugs.  While some argue that seniors pay too much for drugs, seniors can find a multitude of discounts for drugs, including AARP, discount pharmacies, and big box retailers such as Walmart.

Myth #3: Americans Spend Too Much on Prescription Drugs

If you examine each dollar spent on drugs versus a dollar spent on other remedies and rate them against their ability to keep you healthy, drugs offer tremendous return on your investment.  Prescription drugs often suppress or prevent the need for expensive health care procedures in the future.

Myth #4: Pharmacists can be replaced by machines

Pharmacists do so much more that count pills from a big bottle and drop them into a little bottle.  Pharmacists check to make sure that the drug will not have an adverse, perhaps life-threatening reaction with the patient.   The pharmacist additionally can offer advise on how to take the medication and can answer any pressing questions the patient might have.

Myth #5: Generic Drugs Are Dangerous

Myth #6: Generic drugs ingredients differ from the brand name by up to 45 percent

Myth #7: Patients who start with a brand drug and switch to a generic risk harming themselves

Myth #8: Generic drugs cost less, which means they aren’t as effective

The Food and Drug Administration utilizes meticulous standards when it approves a generic drug for release into the market.  The drug is tested for strength, quality, purity, and potency.  While very small variations over millions of doses, both generic and brand name drugs have gone through years of testing and development to ensure they are safe and effective.

Myth #9: The federal government pushes generic drugs on Americans to save healthcare costs.

This could not be farther from the truth.