KERA's Think Can you trust generic drugs?
Nov 18, 2025
Debbie Cenziper, an investigative journalist from ProPublica, dives into the hidden dangers of generic drugs. She reveals how many generics are produced in overseas factories that may not meet U.S. safety standards. Cenziper discusses the lack of transparency from the FDA and the challenges of tracing where medications come from. She highlights the risks of manufacturing problems leading to ineffective drugs and emphasizes the importance of public reporting and post-market oversight. Cenziper also urges patients to advocate for greater transparency in drug origins.
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Generics Dominate U.S. Prescriptions
- About nine out of ten U.S. prescriptions are for generics, which can save huge costs when they work properly.
- Generics are often made overseas in countries like India and China, which increases supply but raises inspection challenges.
Inspections Rely On Manufacturer Records
- FDA inspects overseas manufacturers but relies on limited staff and manufacturer records rather than independent batch testing.
- Inspectors have found contamination, filthy conditions, and falsified or shredded testing records in some factories.
Secret Exemptions Undermine Bans
- The FDA can ban factories but sometimes grants secret exemptions to avoid drug shortages.
- Those exemptions let banned factories continue supplying U.S. drugs without public notice or independent retesting.
