The debate about
brand and generic medications is getting more heated as the prices for the former go up. What are the differences? Are generic medications as safe as brands? Why are they cheaper?
We decided to look into the differences between brands and generics and tell our readers what to expect when they choose either option.
What makes them different?
When a pharmaceutical company wants to create and
sell a certain medication, they invest heavily in research, clinical trials, and testing in order to be confident in the effectiveness of such a medication. When the medication has been tested and proved effective, the company applies for a patent (exclusive rights) to distribute such medication to return their investment and make profit.
Medications sold under such exclusive rights are brand names. When the patent expires, other companies get the right to produce such medication under its non-brand name (usually the name of the main ingredient). The exact ratio of ingredients may differ, but only within the FDA-approved range.
FDA approval and control
The Food and Drug Administration is very clear about their take on generic medications. Here’s what they say on their website:
A study evaluated the results of 38 published clinical trials that compared cardiovascular generic drugs to their brand name counterparts. There was no evidence that brand name heart drugs worked any better than generic heart drugs.
What’s more, FDA requires the producers of generic drugs to provide evidence that their medications are equivalent to brand names in terms of effects and prescription instructions before permitting the
distribution of such medications.
In a study performed by University of Cincinnati, a group of patients received shots of saline solution. They were told that the first shot was a more expensive version of a special Parkinson’s Disease medication, while the second was a much cheaper alternative. When the results were measured, it turned out that after the first shot patients showed a 28% improvement in motor skills. Their high expectations connected with the use of what they believed to be an expensive, reliable medication translated into physical health benefits.
Why are they cheaper?
The price is obviously the most important concern when it comes to brand name medications. Since a generic version doesn’t factor in the price of research and development (they were already paid off in the course of patented distribution), generics are on average 80%-85% cheaper than brand names.
This is exactly why physicians all over the U.S. are encouraged to prescribe generics over brand names - their prices are lower and insurance providers are more willing to cover such medications in their plans.
The difference in formulations and effects
Since the FDA imposes a strict control on the production of generics, they have norms in place to regulate the effectiveness of the proposed generics. More specifically:
"Any generic drug modeled after a single, brand name drug must perform approximately the same in the body as the brand name drug. There will always be a slight, but not medically important, level of natural variability – just as there is for one batch of brand name drug compared to the next batch of brand name product."
Therefore, exchanging a brand name medication to its generic version should not entail any changes in the effectiveness of the treatment.
Other benefits
Today, a lot of providers sell generic medications online. It works like an online store for pharmaceuticals – you can purchase any medication, in any dosage, without a prescription. Provided you are using a reliable online pharmacy, the quality of the medications offered will not differ from that of brand name products. The availability of such medications online spares you the need to make doctor appointments and wait for prescriptions. You can get a refill at any time you need.
Our conclusion
Having reviewed the information provided by the FDA and other governmental organizations on generic meds, we have made the following conclusions:
A generic medication is a safe alternative to a brand name – as proved by the FDA
Generics are at least 80% cheaper than brand names and often covered with insurance plans
Generic medications are available online, without a prescription, from certified online pharmacies
Since the FDA imposes a strict control on the production of generics, they have norms in place to regulate the effectiveness of the proposed generics. More specifically:
"Any generic drug modeled after a single, brand name drug must perform approximately the same in the body as the brand name drug. There will always be a slight, but not medically important, level of natural variability – just as there is for one batch of brand name drug compared to the next batch of brand name product."
Therefore, exchanging a brand name medication to its generic version should not entail any changes in the effectiveness of the treatment.
Other benefits
Today, a lot of providers sell generic medications online. It works like an online store for pharmaceuticals – you can purchase any medication, in any dosage, without a prescription. Provided you are using a reliable online pharmacy, the quality of the medications offered will not differ from that of brand name products. The availability of such medications online spares you the need to make doctor appointments and wait for prescriptions. You can get a refill at any time you need.
Our conclusion
Having reviewed the information provided by the FDA and other governmental organizations on generic meds, we have made the following conclusions:
A generic medication is a safe alternative to a brand name – as proved by the FDA
Generics are at least 80% cheaper than brand names and often covered with insurance plans
Generic medications are available online, without a prescription, from certified online pharmacies
