Generic vs. Brand

We've probably all heard of generic drugs, but what exactly are they?  Are they safe?  Can they actually same me money?  These and other common questions hang like a cloud over the brand vs. generic debate.  Here are a few facts to help clear things up a bit.

• Brand name drugs are protected by patent for up to 20 years.  During this time the drug manufacturer holds exclusive rights to produce and sell the drug. 
• Generic drugs can be released when a patent expires (or is proved invalid).  These drugs must have the same active ingredients (the chemical that treat the condition) and meet the same FDA requirements for quality, purity, and safety as the original brand name drug.
• After the drug patent expires, however, the drug manufacturer may still hold exclusive rights to the delivery method.  For instance, a drug and it's generic counterpart may have the identical active ingredient, but the brand name drug may provide a slower release of the medication thus extending it's effectiveness over time.
• Generic drugs can differ, however, in color, shape, taste, inactive ingredients (fillers) from their brand name counterparts.
• Because of the two reasons immediately above, some generics are not as effective as brand name drugs for some people.
• Generic drugs are often much cheaper.  For example, the average cost of the type II diabetes drug Glucophage is $90, while the average cost of Metformin, the generic counterpart, is only $7. 

Conclusion

Although there may be some very slight differences between a brand name drug and it's generic counterpart (inactive ingredients and possible delivery methods), generics generally are effective for most people.  And as far as safety is concerned, even most critics of generic drugs concede that they are safe to use.  Given the difference in cost between the two, most experts agree that it is a good idea to at least consider trying a generic.

One last thought.  Many brand name drugs do not have generics.  However, for many brand name drugs there exist "similar generic alternatives."  These generics are not identical generics like we discussed above.  That is, they have different active ingredients, and may work slightly different.  However, they are similar in that they are used to treat the same symptoms or conditions.  For example, Crestor does not have a generic counterpart available in the United States.  However, both Simvastatin and Pravastatin function very similarly, and have been used with great success by many people looking to regulate their cholesterol.  If you are on a brand name medication that does not have a generic, and you would like to see if there are similar medications that you may be able to discuss with your doctor and pharmacist, click here to visit a website that will help you explore alternative medications.