What’s the difference between a generic and brand-name drug?
Not much, except for name and price.. The products have the same ingredients.
Standard practice and laws require that a generic drug be generically equivalent to its brand-name counterpart.
That is, it must have the same active ingredients, strength, and dosage form—pill, liquid, or injection. The generic drug also must be therapeutically equivalent—it must be the same chemically and have the same medical effect.
Are brand-name drugs made in better factories than generic drugs?
No. All factories must meet the same high standards.
If brand-name drugs and generic drugs have the same active ingredients, why do they look different?
In the United States, trademark laws do not allow generic drugs to look exactly like the brand-name drug. However, the generic drug must have the same active ingredients. Colors, flavors, and certain other parts may be different.
Do all drugs have generic equivalents?
No. Some drugs are protected by patents and are supplied by only one company. However, when the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce its generic version. Currently, about half the drugs on the market are available in generic form.
Do generic drugs take longer to work in the body?
No. Generic drugs work in the same way and in the same amount of time as brand-name drugs.
Why are generic drugs less expensive?
Creating a drug costs lots of money. Since generic drug makers do not develop a drug from scratch, the costs to bring the drug to market are less…