Generic Drug FAQ

What is a generic Drug?

A Generic drug is produced once the patent of a new
drug has expired. It is the same as the original in
virtually everyway.

How are generic drugs regulated?

Generic drugs are regulated by the FDA and must be
tested and approved by them before production and
afterwards.

Is my generic drug made by the same company as the
brand name version? Possibly 50% of all generics are
made by the company which developed the original drug.

Are Generic drugs made in the same standard facilities
as brand drugs?

Yes all facilities must meet FDA standards.

Why do the branded and generic version of a drug look
different?

Trademark laws do not allow generic versions to look
like other drugs on the market so coloring, size and
shape etc may be different but they still act in the
same way as the difference is in the inactive
ingredients.

What is bioequivalence?

If a generic drug is bioequivalent to the original it
means the generic drug works in exactly the same way.
It releases the same amount of the same active
ingredient in to the blood stream over the same time
period as the original.

Why are generic drugs cheaper?

Due to increased competition between pharmaceutical
companies once a patent has been lifted on a
particular drug.

Where are generic drugs produced?

50% of all generic drugs continue to be produced by
the company, which held the original though at a lower
price due to competition. Some are made by developing
countries usually in cases where a drug is exempt in
that country from an existing patent in the West.