Recently there has been a lot of talk, and plenty of confusion, about generic drugs. What are they? Why are they different? Can you benefit from their use?
A generic drug is simply a branded drug that uses a different name. For example, acetaminophen is the generic version of the brand name drug Tylenol. The Food and Drug Administration considers generics to be "bioequivalent" to branded drugs, which means they contain the same active ingredients.
Since generic drugs usually cost less than their corresponding branded drugs, using them may lower your cost.
When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it obtains a patent for that drug. The patent means that no one else can sell the exact same drug for a period of time, usually 17 years. That patent-protected drug is the branded drug, and when we pay for it, we are also paying for the research costs, the costs incurred in proving it is safe, the costs to market and transport the drug, and a premium if it is the only available drug for a certain symptom, disease or condition.
Once that patent-protected time has passed, any company can sell a drug with the same ingredients as the branded one. That generic drug must be given a new name. Since the company that manufactures the generic didn't incur the costs of the original research, testing or marketing, the cost is lower.
Not all branded drugs have a generic version. Most recently developed drugs will still fall within the patent-protected time.
Also, just because the generic drug is bioequivalent doesn't mean it's exactly the same. The FDA insists that no two drugs can look exactly alike, so generics may contain inactive ingredients that differ from their branded counterparts.
The best way to be sure you are getting exactly the drug you need, branded or generic, is to consult with your doctor. When a drug is prescribed for you, ask whether there is a generic equivalent. If there is, ask whether it is an option for you.
If you are curious about the availability of generic versions of the drugs you currently take, the FDA maintains a reference called the Orange Book. You can find a link to the Orange Book at www.EveryPatients Advocate.com.
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