Generic Drugs
In America you may be asked when getting a prescription if you would like the generic drug. A generic drug is one manufactured by a company that is not the innovator. Generic drugs reflect the chemical name of the drug. These drugs are less expensive-yet have the same therapeutic value-so they are used by many. An example is Aspirin (Brand Name by Bayer) or acetylsalicylic acid (Generic).
Questions and Answers taken from the Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov/cder and click on Consumer Education
- What are generic drugs?
A generic drug is the same as the brand-name drug in: dosage, safety, strength, quality, the way it works, the way it is taken and the way it should be used.
- Are generic drugs as safe as brand-name drugs?
Yes. The FDA says that all drugs must work well and be safe. Generic drugs use the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and work the same way. So they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name drugs.
- Are generic drugs as strong as brand-name drugs?
Yes, FDA requires generic drugs must be as: high quality, strong, pure and stable as brand-name drugs.
- Are brand-name drugs made in better factories than generic drugs?
No. All factories must meet the same high standards. If the factories do not meet certain standards, the FDA won’t allow them to make drugs.
- If brand-name drugs and generic drugs have the same active ingredients, why do they look different?
In the United States, trademark laws do not allow generic drugs to look exactly like the brand-name drug. However, the generic drug must have the same active ingredients. Colors, flavors, and certain other parts may be different. But these things don’t affect the way the drug works and they are looked at by the FDA.
- Does every brand-name drug have a generic drug?
No. when new drugs are first made they have drug patents. Most drug patents are protected for 17 years. The patent protects the company that made the drug first. The patent doesn’t allow anyone else to make and sell the drug. When the patent expires, other drug companies can start selling the generic version of the drug. But, first, they must test the drug and the FDA must approve it.
- What is the best source of information about generic drugs?
Contact your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other healthcare professional for information on your generic drugs. For more information, you can also visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/info/consumer_generic.htm
- Do generic drugs take longer to work in the body?
No. Generic drugs work in the same way and in the same amount of time as brand=name drugs.
- Why are generic drugs less expensive?
Crating a drug costs lots of money. Since generic drug makers do not develop a drug from scratch, the costs to bring the drug to market are less. But they must show that their product performs in the same way ad the brand-name drug. All generic drugs are approved by the FDA.
- Why do some people find they can take the brand name drug, but have sensitivity to the generic?
While the active ingredient is the same there may be fillers or other added ingredients that are causing the sensitivity, but this reaction is rare. Most people that can take the brand name have no trouble switching to the generic.
