Filipinos often carry the belief that healthy living is expensive. Superfoods sold in imported stores and branded medicines in glossy boxes both reinforce the idea that to be healthy, one must spend more.
But just as the rise of generic medicines has proven that healing doesn’t have to come at a premium, our daily meals can also be nourishing, life-giving, and affordable.
In celebration of Generics Awareness Month, let’s take a closer look at the parallels between cost-effective healthcare and cost-effective meal planning. Both teach us a vital lesson: true wellness is not about labels but about substance.
KEEPING A JOURNAL OF YOUR MEDICATION AND HOW MUCH YOU SPEND FOR THEM IS HELPFUL
Generic Medicines: Different Name, Same Cure
Generic drugs are the scientifically equivalent version of branded medicines. They contain the same active ingredients, work in the same way, and undergo strict evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Yet, they are often priced at 30–80% less than branded drugs because companies selling generics don’t have to recoup marketing and research costs already shouldered by the original brand.
The resistance to generics in the Philippines—especially in rural areas—often comes from misinformation. Many people still assume “cheap” means “less effective.”
But decades of scientific research and DOH campaigns have proven otherwise. Choosing generics is not only safe but also financially empowering, especially for families managing chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, or asthma.
READ: How Can Food Boost Health and Wellbeing?
Nutrition on a Budget: The Food Equivalent of Generics
Now let’s translate this lesson to our plates.
Think of branded superfoods—chia seeds, quinoa, kale. They are healthy, yes, but not indispensable. The Philippines has equally nutritious, more affordable counterparts: kamote tops for leafy greens, monggo for plant-based protein, and malunggay for an iron boost.
Just as generic medicine delivers the same active cure at a fraction of the cost, local affordable produce provides the same essential nutrients without draining your wallet.
The Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) has repeatedly shown that budget-friendly Filipino staples can meet, even exceed, dietary needs when combined thoughtfully.
READ: Fueling Your Body — A Guide to Healthy Eating
Narratives We Know Too Well
A young call center agent in Manila shared her struggle: she used to skip meals to save money while buying expensive vitamins, believing they would compensate.
After attending a workplace wellness seminar, she realized that a simple lugaw with malunggay, tokwa, and boiled egg gave her more balanced nutrition than a bottle of supplements.
Her story mirrors countless Filipino families who, faced with limited budgets, are pressured to choose between medicine and food.
The truth is, both can be affordable without sacrificing health outcomes.
The Practical Parallels
Here’s how the wisdom of generics can guide everyday eating:
- Focus on the active ingredient (nutrient), not the label.
- Just as you check medicine for its generic name (like paracetamol instead of brand), check food for its nutritional value. Protein doesn’t have to come from imported salmon; it can come from mung beans, eggs, or tilapia.
- Cut out marketing fluff.
- Branded products—whether medicine or food—spend millions on ads. Generics and local produce often skip this cost, letting you pay only for the value, not the packaging.
- Accessibility is empowerment.
- Generic medicines expanded access to life-saving treatment. In the same way, affordable local food ensures that good nutrition isn’t reserved for the rich.
- Prevention is cheaper than cure.
- Investing in balanced meals made from affordable staples reduces long-term reliance on expensive medicine. Every extra serving of vegetables today could mean fewer maintenance drugs tomorrow.
Controversial But Worth Discussing
The issue of food insecurity in the Philippines is both about scarcity and perception. Too often, the poor are shamed for eating “simple” food.
But the real scandal is how globalized food marketing convinces us that imported means healthier. In reality, our own local produce—okra, saba bananas, kangkong—carry just as much health potential.
Similarly, multinational pharmaceutical companies have long fought to protect their branded drugs from generic competition, sometimes spreading doubt about generics’ effectiveness.
But science remains on the side of accessibility: the less we spend unnecessarily, the more we can invest in holistic wellness.
Practical Tips for Everyday Filipinos
- Plan meals by nutrients, not recipes. Aim for “Go, Grow, and Glow” food groups every day.
- Swap imported superfoods with local stars:
- Quinoa → Brown rice or monggo
- Kale → Malunggay, pechay, or camote tops
- Blueberries → Guava or papaya (both Vitamin C powerhouses)
- Shop smart: Buy in season and from wet markets where prices are lower and fresher.
- Cook in batches: Just as buying medicine in bulk saves money, preparing baon-sized portions reduces waste.
- Ask your doctor about generics: Insist on prescriptions that allow generic substitution to maximize savings.
A Shared Vision of Wellness
Generics—whether in medicine or nutrition—remind us that wellness is for everyone and certainly should not be a privilege. True health is democratic.
By choosing affordable yet effective alternatives, we protect not only our bodies but also our financial stability.
This Generics Awareness Month, let’s remember: what matters most is not the brand name of what we take or eat, but the life-giving benefit it provides.
Whether it’s a tablet of amlodipine or a bowl of monggo guisado, both can sustain a healthier, more joyful life without draining our wallets empty.
Further Reading
Looking to dive deeper into healthy eating and affordable wellness? Here are some helpful resources:
Photo by Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash
DISCLAIMER
This article provides general information and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
