| Name brand medication or generic brand? This is a | | | | pharmaceutical corporations already did that for them. |
| question that we may find ourselves asking from time | | | | Virtually, the only chemical difference between a |
| to time. Which is cheaper? Which is more effective? | | | | generic drug and a brand name drug is its composition |
| Basically, which is better? Well, hopefully, this article will | | | | of inactive ingredients. Due to trademark laws, the |
| help clarify any bit of confusion and enlighten you as to | | | | exact recipe of a brand name drug cannot be |
| which would best benefit you. | | | | replicated even once the patent has expired, so the |
| So, you really want to know which is better? How | | | | inactive ingredients are altered a bit so as to |
| about if I say both are safe and effective? Would you | | | | accomodate. And although the appearance of of the |
| believe me? Well, it's true. Generic drugs are just as | | | | generic drug may differ from the original brand name |
| effective and safe as the brand name drugs. | | | | drug, this too does not mean the efficacy has been |
| According to the FDA, generic drugs cannot be sold | | | | compromised somehow. |
| as such unless they meet the governmental standards. | | | | Lastly, it also needs to be noted that there is no |
| What makes a difference is the fact that when major | | | | noticeable difference in the speed at which the drug |
| pharmaceutical companies bring a new prescription | | | | works and its potency. Both brand name and generic |
| drug on to the market, they have to pay for its | | | | brand drugs are required to work just as quickly as the |
| development and for its promotion and whatever else. | | | | other. On a sidenote, the FDA has figured that almost |
| Next, the company goes about getting a patent for the | | | | half of all generic drug productions come from large |
| newly developed drug which then gives them the sole | | | | pharmaceutical companies. |
| right to develop and produce the medication. However, | | | | In conclusion, it should seem apparent that there is no |
| there comes a point where the patent expires and | | | | longer any reason to opt for the brand name due to |
| other, smaller, generic brand manufacturers can | | | | some preconceived misconceptions about the |
| produce the drug themselves under a different name | | | | efficacy of cheaper generic drugs. The only reason to |
| and once this happens, this drives the price down for | | | | buy brand name drugs is if there currently isn't an |
| essentially the same product. | | | | identical generic product yet on the market. So, |
| What matters here is the fact that the smaller | | | | remember, more expensive doesn't always |
| manufacturers don't need to spend millions of dollars | | | | necessarily mean for a better product. |
| developing and promoting anything, since the | | | | |