Generic drugs are replicas of branded medications. These medications are also FDA-approved as they also undergo a strong FDA approval process.
The FDA has already stated that generic medications need to be pharmaceutically equivalent considered safe and effective.
The FDA ensures that the generic medication is equal in terms of purity, strength, stability, and quality as their brand replicas. So let’s now discuss the difference between generic and branded drugs.
Cost of generic medicines
Usually, generic medicines are available at the lowest price. The price can be up to 85% less according to the FDA.
Different reasons make generics are comparatively pocket-friendly price.
Research costs
Generic medicines are affordable because the manufacturers do not need to invest funds in the research.
Brand-name manufacturer has to invest a lot of money for a clinical study to prove the safety and effectiveness of a newly manufactured drug. Generic medicines use the same active components that are used in branded counterparts, so there is no need to prove the safety of the same active pharmaceutical component. It saves a lot of producers and marketing money that in turn advantages customers.
Competition in the market
The generic medicines are manufactured by several manufacturers; therefore, the competition is also very high, which further decreases the prices.
However, people do know regarding affordable prices of generic counterparts as well as the huge difference between generic and branded medicine costs, and it can affect what manufacturers they choose for buying generic medications.
One cross-sectional study of 278 participants studied the knowledge of awareness of generic medicines in them. The results showed that 88.8% of volunteers did know the cost difference. While; 80.2% claimed they chose generic medicines because of their affordable price.
Appearance
Another common Difference Between Generic and Branded Medicine, they are filled with the same pharmaceutical components. However, features of the medications that will not affect the medical purpose are allowed, such differences are acceptable across the globe. It includes their appearance.
United States trademark law does not allow generic drugs to appear the same as their branded medicines.
Generic producers have to submit an application called ANDA for FDA approval. This document is submitted in the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs (OGD). Generic medicines are allowed to have a different physical appearance.
The OGD offers a document to guide generic producers to produce pills and tablets according to the guide. It provides valid parameters from both the manufacturing and safety point of view.
The researchers say that there is not enough evidence to conclude, which is the best medicine for treatment.
When choosing the better alternative between branded and generic medications, a person’s physician will consider the specific health problems and current research while recommending medicine.
As per a 2015 article, the American College of Physicians asked practitioners to advised generic medications instead of branded versions whenever possible.
