Generic Vs Brand Drugs

Generic medicines contain the same active ingredient as brand-name drugs and are required to meet the same pharmaceutical standards for safety, quality and effectiveness. After the patent of a branded medication expires, other manufacturers are allowed to produce equivalent versions. These generic drugs usually cost significantly less because the development and marketing costs have already been recovered by the original manufacturer. Regulatory authorities require generics to demonstrate bioequivalence, meaning that the medicine delivers the same amount of active substance to the bloodstream within the same time frame.