Generic Versus Brand Name Drugs (Medication)

Have you ever gone to the doctor and looked at the bottom of your prescription where there is two signature lines? One line says in small print under it, "Product Selection Permitted" and the other says something along the lines of, "Dispense as Prescribed".

Essentially, this means, depending on which line the doctor signed, that the pharmacy or the consumer has the choice between the brand name drug or the generic version of that same drug.

Of course, drug manufacturers who developed and patented the drug would have you believe the brand name superior to the generic. Those who manufacture the generic would have you believe there is no substantial difference in the two medications.

Which is true?

Technically speaking, brand name drugs versus generic drugs will find that both have the same active ingredient, the same dose of that active ingredient, the same intended use, the same method of administration, the same strength and the same risks and side effects.

The main difference between the brand name versus generic drug prices is likely that the brand name drug has the cost of the research, development, testing, and patent costs built into the drug. The drug manufacture who originally developed the brand name drug is the only one allowed to use that particular brand name. For a period of time, in fact, that manufacturer is able to exclusively sell that particular medication they developed and tested.

When a generic drug company is allowed under the terms of the law to also manufacture the medication, they do not have put as much invested money into manufacturing and testing the medication. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does require all drug manufacturers to perform efficacy tests (to make sure the active ingredient is properly absorbed so it can be used), the preliminary testing and development research costs are not required for the generic drug company.

Additionally, once the patent on the brand name drug expires, if other generic drug manufacturers apply to the FDA to manufacture a generic version of the drug, the more companies that apply to manufacture the generic drug, the more competition there is for the generic drug pricing, the cheaper the generic version of the drug will be.

The FDA requires both generic and brand name drugs be tested for this efficacy, and the generic drug is required by law to perform at the same level as the brand name drug. Generic drugs do not work slower or have less strength or efficacy as compared to brand name drugs. The FDA also requires generic drug manufacturing plants use the same quality control standards as the brand name manufacturer.

So basically, this means there is no essential difference between generic and name brand prescription drugs other than the price. If this is the case, then why would a doctor choose to prescribe a much more expensive brand name drug versus the cheaper generic?

Generic drugs may differ in appearance from the brand name drug, because the generic drug company, while required to use the same active ingredient as the name brand drug, is allowed to use different inert ingredients. An inert ingredient is one that has no effect on how the medication works, such as a binding agent that gives the generic medication its shape, food coloring to give the generic drug its color, and flavorings or other things that should not affect the function and efficacy of the drug. It is possible, rarely, that one of these inert ingredients may cause an allergic reaction or react with other medication prescribed to the patient. For this reason, a doctor may choose to prescribe the brand name drug instead of the less expensive generic drug.

In summary, there is no substantial difference between generic medication and brand name medication, other than price, unless your doctor specifically requests the brand name medication on your prescription. Otherwise, you may save a lot of money by letting your pharmacist know you prefer the generic version of any prescribed medication, without compromising quality or effectiveness.