Generic drugs

A cost effective and safe alternative

To help you decide if they're right for you, learn about the benefits of generic drugs.

• What is a generic drug?
• Are generic drugs as safe as the brand-name drugs?
• Are there differences between a brand-name drug and its generic version?
• Do generic drugs take longer to work?
• Are generics available for all brand-name drugs?
• Why should I use a generic drug?
• How do I get a generic drug?

What is a generic drug?

A generic drug is a medication whose active ingredients, safety, dosage, quality and strength are identical to that of its brand-name counterpart.

When a new medication becomes available, it is sold under a brand name chosen by its manufacturer and protected by a patent. After the drug's patent protection expires, other manufacturers can begin offering additional medications with the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug. These drugs, called generic drugs, are usually less expensive than their brand-name counterparts.

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Are generic drugs as safe as the brand-name drugs?

Yes. The FDA has a single quality standard for all drugs, both brand-name and generic. Before a generic drug is available for sale, the manufacturer of the generic drug must prove to the FDA that the generic version is as safe as the brand-name drug.

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Are there differences between a brand-name drug and its generic alternative?

Yes. Although the active ingredients are identical, you may notice differences in such things as shape, packaging, fillers (such as colors and flavors), expiration time and, within certain limits, package labeling. To ensure generic drugs are just as effective and safe as their brand-name versions, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all drugs, both brand-name and generic drugs, meet the same requirements for quality, strength, purity and potency.

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Do generic drugs take longer to work?

No. When a manufacturer wants to market a generic version of a drug, it must provide evidence to the FDA that the generic drug works in the body just like the brand-name drug, and within the same amount of time as the brand-name drug.

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Are generic drugs available for all brand-name drugs?

No. Manufacturers can only produce generic drugs after the brand-name version of the drug loses its patent protection. Even after a patent expires, manufacturers may choose not to make a generic version of a particular drug. Today, about half of all brand-name drugs have generic counterparts.

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Why should I use a generic drug?

Generic drugs can provide real value. Generic drugs usually cost from 30-75 percent less than their brand-name counterparts, and, since the FDA is very strict about approving generic drugs, you can be assured that the generic drug you receive is a safe and effective alternative to the brand-name drug.

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How do I get a generic drug?

Ask your pharmacist or doctor to better understand the generic choices available to you. Your physician will likely prescribe a generic drug or will refer to a drug by the brand-name. If the brand-name drug has a generic equivalent, in most cases your pharmacist can switch your prescription to the generic drug when you have it filled. Your pharmacist will tell you if your doctor should be consulted before changing to a generic drug.

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