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Generic and Brand-Named Drugs
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What are brand names and generic products? All medicines have a chemical, or generic, name. The generic name describes the ingredients of a medicine. Medicines may also have a brand name. Brand names are assigned by the companies who have developed a drug. For example, the antidepressant drug with the chemical name fluoxetine has the brand name Prozac. At first, new drugs are protected by patents and are made by just one company. The patent period allows the makers of brand-name drugs to recover what it cost them to develop the drugs. After the patent period ends, other companies may sell their own version of the drug. The drug may then be sold with other brand names or as a generic product with the chemical name. In some cases, the generic drugs are also sold by the same company that makes the brand-name drugs. How are they alike? All brand-name and generic products are reviewed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Generic products must have the same:
How are they different? Generic drugs look different from brand-name drugs. This is because trademark laws do not allow generics to look exactly like brand-name drugs. Colors, flavors, and other inactive ingredients may be different. These differences may cause slightly different effects. Some brand-name drugs may be more easily absorbed by the body. Brand-name drugs may cause fewer or weaker side effects. Never assume that a medicine looks different just because it is generic. Double check with the pharmacist that you have the correct medicine before you leave the pharmacy. What is the benefit of using generic drugs? Generic drugs usually cost less than brand names. Generic drugs cost less to make than the brand name medicines. This is because the company does not have the research and advertising costs that the developer of a new drug had. About half of all prescriptions are filled with generic drugs. Many insurance companies require that prescriptions be filled with a generic drug whenever one is available. Not all medicines are available in a generic form. Your health care provider may prescribe a medicine that is available only in the brand-name form. What if I do not want generic drugs? Sometimes brand-name products are preferred to generics. For example, very precise control of dose may be important, or the medicine may be hard to produce. Examples of brand-name products that might be preferred include:
You can ask your provider or pharmacist if a generic form is right for you. If you and your health care provider agree that a generic drug is not the best choice for you, your provider will write, "Do not substitute" on your prescription. This lets your pharmacist know that only the brand name is to be used to fill the prescription. Depending on your health plan, you may have to pay more for, or cover the entire cost of, the brand-name medicine.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File MED4264F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
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