Generic NataChew: An Overview
NataChew® is a chewable
prenatal vitamin (a vitamin and mineral supplement designed for pregnant women). These particular prenatal vitamins are only available with a prescription.
NataChew is made by Warner Chilcott, Inc. Technically, there are no generic versions of NataChew available.
Issues With Generic Prenatal Vitamins
Generic prenatal vitamins present an interesting technical problem. Because prenatal vitamins do not need FDA approval, they are not given "equivalence ratings" by the FDA. Equivalence ratings are used by pharmacists to determine which generic products are considered equivalent to brand-name products. In many states, a pharmacist may not dispense a generic in place of a brand-name medication unless the FDA has rated the products to be equivalent. Because prenatal vitamins do not have equivalence ratings, technically, no generic prenatal vitamin is equivalent to any brand-name prenatal vitamin (including NataChew prenatal vitamins).
However, depending on state laws (and how your healthcare provider writes your prescription), your pharmacist may substitute a generic prenatal vitamin that has the exact same ingredients (in the same amounts) as the brand-name product.
What If My Pharmacy Doesn't Have NataChew?
There are many different prenatal vitamins available, and a pharmacy cannot possibly stock every single brand.
If your pharmacy does not carry NataChew prenatal vitamins, you have a few different options. You can take your prescription (or have it transferred) to a different pharmacy that carries NataChew; you can have your healthcare provider give you a prescription for a different prenatal vitamin; or you can ask your pharmacy to stock NataChew for you.
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