Generic Medications
What are generic medications?
A generic medication is a copy that is the same as a brand-name medication in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance and intended use.
Are generic medications as safe as brand-name medications?
Yes. Since generics use the same active ingredients and are shown to work the same way in the body, they have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts.
Do generic medications take longer to work in the body?
No. Generic medications work in the same way and in the same period as brand-name medications.
Why are generic medications less expensive?
Generic medications are less expensive because generic manufacturers do not have the investment costs of the developer of a new medication. New medications are developed under patent protection. The patent protects the investment-including research, development, marketing, and promotion-by giving the company the sole right to sell the medication while it is in effect. As patents near expiration, manufacturers can apply to the FDA to sell generic versions. Because those manufacturers do not have the same development costs, they can sell their product at substantial discounts. Also, once generic medications are approved, there is greater competition, which keeps the price down. Today, almost half of all prescriptions are filled with generic medications.
Are brand-name medications made in more modern facilities than generic medications?
No. Generic firms have facilities comparable to those of brand-name firms. In fact, brand-name firms are linked to an estimated 50 percent of generic medication production. They frequently make copies of their own or other brand-name medications but sell them without the brand name.
If brand-name medications and generic medications have the same active ingredients, why do they look different?
In the United States, trademark laws do not allow a generic medication to look exactly like the brand-name medication. However, a generic medication must duplicate the active ingredient. Colors, flavors, and certain other inactive ingredients may be different.
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