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Generic medications without a prescription |
| Date Added: December 11, 2009 03:21:37 PM |
| Author: sklylar113 |
| Category: Arts & Culture: Resources |
| You may have heard that switching to a generic drug will save money and now may be wondering if there is any difference between brand name medications and their generic versions. Here is a detailed analysis of the two. Generic drugs are copies of branded drugs that have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, adverse side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and efficacy as the branded drug. A lot of people express doubts about the potency of generic drugs, as the latter are frequently much cheaper than brand name versions. They wonder if the quality and effectiveness have been changed to make less expensive drugs. Generic drugs are required to be as safe and potent as branded drugs. Actually, generic drugs are cheaper, because the manufacturers have not had the expenditure of manufacturing and marketing a new drug. When a producer introduces a new drug to the market, the business has already spent substantial money on research, development, marketing and forwarding of the medication. The company that manufactures the drug is given a patent - an exclusive right to sell the drug as long as the patent is in force. As the patent nears expiration, producers can apply to the FDA for a permit to manufacture and sell generic versions of the medication. Without the startup costs for scientific research and manufacturing of the drug, manufacturers can afford to produce and sell it at a low price. When several companies start making and selling a drug, the competition among them can also drive the price down. The FDA applies the same standards for all drug manufacturing facilities a great many manufacturers make both brand name and generics. In fact, 50% of generic medication production is estimated to be made by branded manufacturers. Generic drugs may at times be molded differently than brand name names, such as a generic tablet versus a brand name bolus. Yet, they have the same active ingredients and are produced under the same standards as branded medications. According to the U.S. Trademark law, generic drugs are not allowed to look exactly like branded drugs. Colours, flavors and other inactive and inert ingredients, such as fillers, may vary. These variations are also seen between brand name medications sold in different countries. A medication can be a capsule in the USA, but a pill in Canada, for example, even though it is produced by the same brand name company. |
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