There are many things that you need to know about Generic medications. Let’s start by understanding the generic medications.

Generic medications are cheaper branded medications versions containing the same active ingredient. Like the licensed ones, they perform just as well. Drug regulatory agencies around the world allow the potency of the drug to be the same between the original and the generic medication. Manufacturers also need to prove, though, that their product is of similar quality, efficacy, and actions in the human body in a similar fashion. That’s called bioequivalence. This is calculated by measuring the drug levels in the body after taking the generic medications and taking the branded product by making sure that they are equal.

What makes Generic medications look different?

While the generic medicines have the same active ingredient as the branded drug, the inactive ingredients— or the “fillers” which bind the pill together and then help break it down once it’s in the body — often vary between the generic and branded products. Those variations have no effect on generic drug efficacy. That’s why generic medications may have a different shape, volume, color, or even taste.

From where do you obtain Generic medications?

Generic medications (and brand medicines) are produced throughout the world in factories. The pharmaceutical must meet with local government regulatory quality standards if it is to be licensed as a generic drug manufacturing facility. In factories around the world, local authorities regularly evaluate and audit manufacturing procedures to ensure that they meet local quality standards.

Why are Generic medications cost-effective than brand-name medications?

Big pharmaceutical companies are spending a great deal of money on clinical trials and then selling their products. They have a limited amount of time when they are the only business around capable of producing the product. When the patent of a drug expires, generic manufacturers will begin to produce a generic version of that medication. Generic manufacturers do not invest in research and advertising, and only manufacture goods that have been patented, delivering cost savings to consumers and governments worldwide. If there is no generic version of a drug, the cost of the prescription medications will remain as high as the pharmaceutical company wants to charge because there is no competition. It pushes down costs as generics are affordable, as if the original pharmaceutical company wanted to demand a high price for a product, then no one would purchase the brand-name medication that is overpriced. Nevertheless, sometimes it may happen that consumers still purchase higher-priced branded medications for fear of inferior quality generics.

Are Generic medications suitable to all consumers in every case?

Some products can be replaced by a generic drug. For example, Warfarin, a blood thinner, is an irreplaceable medication as the two brands available (Marevan and Coumadin) have never been shown to be bioequivalent. Many people with conditions where small changes in doses of drugs can have significant effects (e.g. epilepsy) may be recommended to use the same product instead of switching between the generic medications.

Are Generic medications safe?

Generic medications have the same reputation as the original brand of protection and side effects. Patients can sometimes have an adverse reaction due to one of the inactive ingredients in it to a certain generic brand of the drug on rare occasions. The list of ingredients in the drug in the prescription drugs information leaflet is available from your pharmacist. When you suspect you have had an adverse reaction to a generic medication, report it to your doctor or pharmacist so that they can report it to your country’s appropriate drug regulatory authority.

Is it always necessary to use a generic medication?

Whether or not to use generic medications is always your preference. There may be real supply issues in some situations where your pharmacist may not be able to stock your preferred brand, and the only viable alternative may be generic. If you want to try generic medications but are somewhat reluctant, try to replace one of the medications and see how you can approach the experience. You can always go back to your original product if you have any issues.