| Switching to generic drugs is undoubtedly spares money. A lot of people would like to know if there is any difference between brand name drugs and their generic versions. Below is a detailed analysis of the two.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA), to gain FDA approval, a generic medication must: contain the same active ingredients as the branded drug (inactive ingredients may vary), be identical in potency, dose form and route of administration; have the same use indications, be bioequivalent; meet the same batch requirements for identity, strength, purity and quality; be manufactured under the same rigid standards of FDA's good producing practice regulations mandatory for brand name medications. To put it differently, their pharmacological effects are identical to those of their brand name counterparts.
A great many people question the efficacy of generic drugs, as the latter are often considerably cheaper than branded versions. They would like to know if the quality and effectiveness have been changed to make less expensive medications. Generic medications are compulsory to be as secure and effective as branded medications.
Actually, the lower price of generic drugs is explained by the fact that the manufacturers do not have to spend money on manufacturing and marketing of a new medication. When a manufacturer introduces a new medication to the pharmaceutical market, the business has already spent a considerable amount of money on scientific research, manufacturing, marketing and promotion of the medication. The producer that develops the drug is given a patent - an exclusive right to sell the drug as long as the patent is in force. By the end of the expiration date of the patent, producers can apply to the FDA for permission to manufacture and sell generic versions of the medication. Without the startup costs for research and development of the medication, companies can afford to make and sell it at a low price. When several firms begin manufacturing and selling a drug, the competition among them can also result in a lower price.
The standards for all medication producing facilities are the same, and a lot of producers make both branded and generics. In fact, the FDA estimates that 50% of generic drug manufacture is by branded producers.
Sometimes, generic versions of a drug have different colors, flavors, or combinations of inactive ingredients in comparison to original medications. Trademark laws in the USA do not allow generic drugs to look exactly like brand name medications. Yet, active ingredients must be the same in both preparations, securing that both have the same pharmacological properties.
These variations are also seen between brand name drugs sold in different countries. A medication can be a capsule in the USA, but a tablet in Canada, for example, even though it is manufactured by the same branded company. |
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