Rest-assured that when you choose a generic drug, you are getting a genuine copy of a drug that has been trademarked. The exacting specifications set by the Food and Drug Administration require both name brand and generic drugs to have the same dosage, strengths, safety, along with side effects and risks. Non-brand drugs are allowed to have different inactive ingredients, but these do not effect quality or duration of efficacy.
You will notice that the generic medicine may not be the same shape, color and sometimes even the flavor will differ, but know that the active ingredients are the same. The FDA specifically states that the two drugs must not look like exact replicas. In terms of packaging, one way you will be able to tell a brand from a non brand is that the brand name will has more uppercase letters than the generic drug’s packaging. In the case of a non trademarked drug, the name is derived from the chemical formula.
In order for a drug to be patented, the drug company must first do research, then the drug needs to go through extensive clinical trials to make sure that the drug is safe and does exactly what it was intended to do. If the drug passes all the test and becomes patented, then the company moves onto marketing. All of this adds up to spending many years and lots of money. This expense is then passed on to the consumer, which is why brand name drugs are so expensive.
When the patent expires on a drug, other drug manufactures can apply to the FDA to copy the formulas and produce generic forms. Because the makers of non-brand drug do not have to go through all the research, marketing and trials, they can offer the medicines at a discounted price and make them available to more people. Prices can also be lowered when several companies making generic versions compete.
Sometimes you will find that both name brand and non name brand are made in the same factory. FDA standards must be met in all drugs that are produced, so the only big difference is the price.
The United States allows a pharmacist to substitute a brand name with a generic without asking the doctor who wrote the prescription, however, the patient must be asked if it is okay to substitute brand with generic. Asking you doctor about your prescription is always a good idea so you can be able to make an informed choice. Not all drugs are available in a generic form, but may be in the future.
You may have health insurance that pays for your prescriptions or at least a portion of the cost, so you may not think that brand-less drugs are important to you. However, consider that your copayment will be less with generic and by going with the less expensive medicines you are helping to keep insurance and health care costs down.
So although generic drugs may look different and have hard-to-pronounce and difficult-to-remember names, remember they do come in the same dosages and are regulated by the same standards as the name brand drugs.
Coauthor Jude Nicklos spends almost all of their time researching pharmaceuticals and their sources. His team would like to support you on your route to healthy rehabilitation thanks to Generic Drugs. Visit an Online Drug Store right now in privacy!