Generic or Brand-name? The Choice is Yours

We're all aware that medications come in many varieties. Not only are we offered a host of different medications; we're exposed to medications that treat the same conditions as others. With these things in mind, it's important to know why generic drugs exist, what purpose they serve, and if a brand-name drug does in fact give you the best benefit.

The first and foremost fact relating to generic drugs is that they are cheaper. Often times, brand name drugs can cost hundreds of dollars a year, as opposed to generics that can total only a fraction of that amount. Why is this so? Do generic drugs have different ingredients? Do they mean you're getting less quality? Quite the contrary, says Dr. Neha Patel, M.D., internal medicine. "Generics are cheaper because of the research and marketing costs associated with creation and initial production. Brand-name companies only have a limited amount of time on their patent to research, test, and produce the drug, which makes the cost high. Once the patent expires, the cost of the medicine is driven down to the consumer by other manufacturers."

Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have the exact same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original brand-name drug. Not only do generic producers want their drug to be the same; the Food & Drug Administration requires that the generic drug be as safe and effective as the brand-name one.

"There are not supposed to be any differences in the production of a drug. This is one reason why the U.S. won't accept drugs from outside of the country; they aren't regulated on the same standards as those within the U.S. by the FDA. In reality, slight variabilities may occur, but they're mostly psychological. The truth is that the active ingredients in the medicines are all the same," says Dr. Patel.

Differences perceived psychologically can easily be tied into other factors as well, such as the colors, flavors, and active ingredients of generics that are differet than the original medications. Trademark laws in the United States do not allow the generic drugs to look exactly like the brand-name ones, but the active ingredients must remain the same to ensure the same medicinal effects.

Overall, generic drugs, when available, provide the same effects and benefits as the brand-name ones. Gary Buehler, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Generic Drugs states, "People can use them with total confidence."

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