Often, when customers and patients hear the term “generic drugs,” they think of a subpar drug that’s different from a brand-name drug. The truth is that generic drugs are indeed the same as brand-name drugs when it comes to what’s important: how effective they are at treating illnesses, diseases, and other health conditions.

Below, we’ll examine exactly how generic drugs and brand-name drugs are the same, as well as the few instances in which they are different.

What are generic drugs?

The term “generic drugs” often comes up with insurance companies, healthcare providers, and generic medicine supplier companies. While many may imply that these specific drugs being talked about are simplistic or inferior in some way, this is not the case at all.

In fact, generic drugs are the exact same as their brand-name counterparts. They must be called generic drugs, however, because the pharmaceutical companies that come up with the original “brand-name drugs” reserve the right to call their own drugs by the patented name they chose when they released them to the market.

It’s important to note here that generic drug manufacturers can only start copying the formula for a brand-name drug after the patent on the brand-name drug has expired. At this time, it is possible for the generic drug manufacturer to start producing their version of a brand name drug at a far reduced price.

So, are brand-name and generic drugs really the same?

Yes. By law, generic drugs are regulated to have the same formula, dosage, strength, effectiveness, stability, quality, and safety as their brand-name counterparts. All of this is regulated by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

Why are generic drugs less expensive than brand-name drugs?

Generic drug manufacturers do not do the work necessary to come up with the makeup of brand-name drugs so that they are effective. This is done by the brand-name pharmaceutical companies.

Therefore, brand-name pharmaceutical companies charge more for their drugs. They’ve put money into the research and development of these drugs as well as into the patenting fees and marketing required to sell them. Once their drug patent has expired, however, generic manufacturers can legally start producing copies of brand-name drugs for a lower price.

Obtaining generic drugs for healthcare providers

Healthcare providers in the healthcare market worldwide require large amounts of pharmaceutical drugs in order to treat their patients. It’s important to have these drugs on hand for patients who need them immediately. That’s why ordering drugs wholesale from a generic medicine supplier is often the most effective way to obtain pharmaceuticals.