Generic equivalents prescription drugs

Not much, except for name and price. When a patent on a particular drug expires, other companies may apply to produce a generic version of the brand name drug.

A generic drug is a copy that is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance and intended use.

Since generics use the same active ingredients and are shown to work the same way in the body, they have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts. In fact, most state laws require that the generic drug be a generic equivalent to the brand name version.

This means that the generic drug must have the same active ingredients, strength, and dosage form (ie pill, liquid or injection), and must have the same medical effectiveness and safety as its brand-name counterpart.

Because generic drug manufacturers do not carry the research and development costs, they can sell their generic equivalents at substantial discounts. Also, once a patent expires, increased competition from other manufacturers keeps the price down.

Today, over 40% of all prescriptions are filled with generic drugs.

Talk with your doctor. Explain that you want the most effective drug at the best price and ask your doctor to write prescriptions for generic drugs when possible. If your prescription is written with a specific brand name, the pharmacist must fill that prescription with the specified brand name drug. A generic drug may not be substituted.