Generic drugs are not the same as counterfeit drugs.
Many people have questions about generic drugs. How do they compare to brand name drugs in quality and effectiveness? Are generics really less expensive? Are the active ingredients in brand name medications and generics the same, or are they different? These are important questions, because medical care, and especially prescription costs, can be a major drain on a family’s budget. Knowing the facts about brand name and generic drugs can save you a lot of money.
All generic drugs produced in the U. S. are tested and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Other countries, such as Canada and England, have equivalent agencies that perform in the same way. Generic drugs must have the same active ingredients, purity, strength, quality and stability as brand name drugs.
You can rest assured that if your doctor prescribes a generic drug, it will have the same quality and effectiveness as a more expensive brand name medication. Sometimes, the generic will be made by the same company that produces the brand name, but they are always sold in different packages.
Customers often ask their pharmacists why their generic prescription drug has a different shape or color or comes in a tablet instead of a capsule like the brand name medication. The answer has nothing to do with quality or effectiveness. The two types of drugs look different from each other, because trademark laws do not permit generics to look exactly the same as their brand name equivalent. Some inactive components, such as flavor, color and inert ingredients may be different.
The largest benefit to using generic drugs is their cost. They are generally much less expensive than their brand name counterparts. This large difference in cost is due to several factors. The research and development process for new brand name drugs is very expensive. Pharmaceutical companies also spend large sums to advertise and promote their new products. All of these costs are added to the price of your prescription.
In answer to the question, “Are generic drugs as effective and do they work as quickly as their more expensive counterparts.” The answers are, “Yes,” and “Yes.” Yes, they do have the same amount of active ingredients, and yes, they do, therefore, work just as quickly. If you have not yet discovered how effective and how inexpensive generic drugs can be, ask your doctor if they might be right for you.