The Battle is still on: Generic Drugs vs. Branded Drugs

For many years, there had been a silent war going on between the generic drugs and the branded drugs.  This is because most people believe that generic drugs don't work effectively the same as branded drugs do.

But according to medical standards, generic drugs are as effective as branded drugs because they have the same quality, strength, purity and stability.  They differ only in the inactive ingredients used such as dyes, fillers and preservatives.

So what is the difference then between the two?

PRICE - Branded drugs are more expensive than generic drugs.  You can save up to 90 percent in generic drugs compared to the branded ones.  This is because whenever a new drug is developed by a company and submitted for approval, years of patent is issued. Meaning other companies can't sell the same drug during the life of the patent.  But whenever the drug nears its patent expiration, other companies may apply to sell the generic version of the drug.  And since they don't have the same developmental costs (like the research costs), they can sell the drugs at a lesser amount. 

MANUFACTURING - Generic and branded drugs are both manufactured in facilities that met the standards of Food and Drug Authorities.  This is denying rumors that generic drugs are produced in a diverse factory with dissimilar quality-control methods. Branded drugs are just manufactured with series of activities conducted such as drug research and development, clinical trials, marketing and advertising.

PACKAGING – The size, shape and color of the generic drugs may differ from that of branded drugs because trademark laws do not allow generic drugs to look exactly the same as the branded ones.  They must only duplicate the active ingredients and be equally effective as the branded drugs.

EFFECT - As said, both the generic drugs and the branded drugs have the same active ingredients, thus making both of them as effective as the other.  Also, generic drugs are copies of branded drugs, meaning they exactly have the same dosage, intended use, effects, and side effects, route of administration, risks, safety and strength. In other words, generic and branded drugs have the same pharmacological effects.

So the belief that generic drugs are not an effective medicines as the branded ones should be eliminated.  They are approved to be manufactured with the same main ingredient for the intended use, but differ only in the packaging and price.