| The Food and Drug Administration wants consumers to know that generic drugs are the same as brand-name drugs in dosage, strength, safety, quality, the way they should be used and how they work ("Facts about Generic Drugs," available at www.fda.gov ).
The big difference between a generic and brand-name drug is the cost.
A generic drug can cost less because the generic-drug manufacturer does not develop the drug. Since it does not have the research and development expenses associated with discovering and bringing the new drug to market, the generic-drug manufacturer can sell the drug at reduced price.
The brand-name manufacturer of a drug receives patent protection for a period of years. When the patent ends, a generic version of the drug can be approved for sale by the FDA.
According to the FDA, brand-name drugs made in the U.S. are not made in better factories than generic drugs -- all factories must meet the same government standards.
Generic drugs may look different, even though they have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and work in the same way.
They look different because trademark law prevents a generic drug from looking exactly like a brand-name drug. Differences in such things as colors and flavorings, "don't affect the way the drug works." |
