Is Generic Medication Better Than Name Brand?

Generic medications are developed to function the same as the equivalent name-brand medications. Generics can be marketed when the name-brand equivalents are no longer protected by patent.

Cost

• Generic medications cost less than name-brand medications, and health insurance is likely to cover more of the cost of a generic than a name-brand medication.

Appearance

• The Food and Drug Administration does not allow generics to look the same as the equivalent name-brand drugs. Generics may come in different sizes, colors, and/or shapes.

Effectiveness

• Generics must be as effective as the equivalent name-brand medications to be approved.

Time Frame

• By FDA regulation, in studie, the human body must absorb a generic drug at a rate and extent of 80 percent to 125 percent of that of the brand name drug.

Availability

• Generics are not available for all drugs. In the United States, each drug is protected by patent for 17 years. After that time, manufacturers can develop generic versions.