| Switching to generic medications is undoubtedly spares money. A great many people wonder if there is any difference between brand name medications and their generic versions. Below is a detailed comparison of the two.According to the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA), to gain FDA approval, a generic medication must: contain identical active ingredients as the branded medication (inactive ingredients may differ), be identical in potency, dosage form and route of administration; comply with the same batch requirements for identity, potency, purity and quality; be produced under the same specified standards of FDA's good producing practice regulations compulsory for original products. In other words, their pharmacological effects are identical to those of their branded counterparts.Many people have doubts about the potency of generic drugs, since the latter are often much cheaper than branded versions. They would like to know if the quality and potency have been worsened to make less expensive products. Generic medications are mandatory to be as secure and efficacious as brand name medications.In fact, generic drugs are lees expensive, as the producers have not had the expenses of developing and promoting a new medication to the pharmaceutical market. When a manufacturer introduces a new drug to the pharmaceutical market, the business has already spent a considerable amount of money on scientific research, development, marketing and forwarding of the medication. The producer that develops the drug is granted a patent - an exclusive right to sell the drug as long as the patent is valid. As the patent nears expiration, producers can apply to the FDA for a permit to produce and sell generic versions of the medication. Without the startup costs for research and development of the drug, firms can afford to make and sell it at a lower price. Due to the competition on the market the price can also reduce.The FDA applies the same standards for all medication manufacturing facilities a lot of producers make both brand name and generics. In fact, half of generic medication production is made by brand name companies.Sometimes, generic versions of a medication have different colors, flavors, or combinations of inactive ingredients in comparison with branded medications. Trademark laws in the United States do not allow generic medications to look exactly like brand name drugs. Still, active ingredients must be the same in both preparations, ensuring that both have the same pharmacological properties. |
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