The main differences between generic and brand-name medicines lie in their cost, appearance, and the process of their development, but not in their effectiveness or safety.
Key Differences:

  1. Active Ingredients and Effectiveness:
    o Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts and are required to have the same quality, strength, and purity standards12.
    o Both types of medicines work the same way in the body and provide the same clinical benefits2.
  2. Cost:
    o Generic medicines are typically much cheaper, costing about 80% to 85% less than brand-name drugs2. This is because generic manufacturers do not bear the initial costs of drug development and marketing2.
  3. Appearance:
    o Generic and brand-name drugs may look different in terms of color, size, and shape, but these differences do not affect their performance1.
  4. Development and Approval:
    o Brand-name drugs are developed by pharmaceutical companies that hold patents, giving them exclusive rights to sell the drug for a certain period1.
    o Once the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce generic versions, which must go through a rigorous FDA approval process to ensure they are bioequivalent to the brand-name version1.
    Advantages:
    • Generic Medicines:
    o Cost-effective, making them more accessible to a broader population2.
    o Proven to be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs1.
    • Brand-Name Medicines:
    o Often the first to market, providing new treatment options.
    o Undergo extensive research and development, which can lead to innovations in treatment1.