Generic Vs Branded Medicines? What is Generic Medicine and Why is it so Affordable?

In today’s healthcare industry, patients face a choice between Generic and Branded medicines. While both aim to treat the same conditions, they differ in various aspects, including cost, appearance, and perception. Understanding these differences is crucial for making informed decisions about your health and finances.

However, when we take a deep dive into it, we get familiar with some dark realities of this landscape, which are generally ignored by industry people. So let’s move further without any delay.

What is Generic Medicine?

A Generic medicine is a pharmaceutical medicine that contains the same active chemical ingredients that the original protected patent medicine contains, so basically these medicines work in the same way the original medicines do, and also these are considered safe and effective as the original ones. When a medicine is developed initially, the pharmaceutical company that discovers and markets it will register a patent on its newly discovered medicine. The patent usually lasts for 20 years, to give the originating company a chance to recover its research investment. Generic medicines are allowed for sale after the patent on the original discovered medicines expires. Because the active chemical substance is the same in both, the medical profile of generics is similar in performance compared to their performance when they were patented drugs. A generic medicine is marketed under the same active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) (FDA quality) as the original, but it may differ in some characteristics, such as the manufacturing process, formulation, excipients, colour, taste, and packaging.

However, they may not be linked with a particular company; generic medicines are usually subject to government regulations in the countries in which they are dispensed. They are labelled with the name of the manufacturer and the non-proprietary name. A generic medicine must contain the same active ingredients as the original branded medicine.

Are Generic Medicines as good as Branded Medicines?

Generic medicines manufacturers must prove to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that their practice of drug:

• contains the same active pharmaceutical ingredients
• It is similar in strength, dosage form, and route of administration
• Has the same procedure of indications, dosing, and labelling 
• Generic medicine provides the same effect and safety profile to patients

Are Generic Medicines Safe?

Generic Medicines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); therefore, they are safe and as effective as branded medicines. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also requires the Generic medicine manufacturers to:

• Meet the same batch-to-batch conditions for strength, purity, and quality as the original manufacturer and
• Must follow the same strict “Good Manufacturing Practices” rules that the FDA lists in their manual

Why do Generic Medicines look different from Branded Medicines?

Generic medicines and branded medicines are formulated with the same active pharmaceutical ingredients, but other characteristics, such as colour, shape and coated flavour, which do not affect the performance, safety, or effectiveness of the generic medicine, may be different. These “inert constituents” are also precisely considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Why are Generic Medicines cheaper as compared to Branded Medicines?

The lower cost of generic medicines can be attributed to several factors:

No Research and Development Costs: When a new drug is developed, it goes through extensive research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals, which can cost billions of dollars. Generic manufacturers do not have to bear these costs since they are producing a drug that has already been tested and approved.

Competition: Drug research is expensive, and patent protection gives branded medicine manufacturers at least 20 years to recover research & development investment, so costs that generic manufacturers do not have to recoup. Brand-name manufacturers collectively spend billions of dollars in marketing new drugs to doctors and the public; they send their representatives to visit doctors in their offices; and they pay for physicians’ trips to meetings and conferences to talk about their drugs with other doctors. Generic manufacturers rarely spend money on advertising and marketing, another important way they keep.

When a medicine is first developed, the pharmaceutical company that discovers and markets it will register a patent on its new drug. The patent generally lasts for 20 years, to give the originating company a chance to recover its research investment. The initial manufacturers spend too much on marketing new drugs to doctors and the public; they send their representatives to visit doctors and build a network to increase the product demand. Generic medicine manufacturers hardly spend money on advertising and marketing; moreover, that’s also an important reason Generic medicine keeps its costs cheaper.

Simpler Marketing: Branded drugs often come with significant marketing expenses to promote their products. Generic manufacturers typically do not spend as much on marketing, allowing them to offer lower prices.

Regulatory Pathway: The approval process for generic drugs is generally faster and less expensive than for new drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that generics demonstrate bioequivalence to the branded drug, but they do not need to undergo the same extensive clinical trials.

“Choosing generic medicines can be a smart way to save money without sacrificing quality.”

What are the advantages of using Generic Medicines over Branded Medicines?

The biggest advantage of using a generic drug is cost-effectiveness. On average, the cost of generic medicines is 80 to 85 per cent lower than branded medicines. Hence, both provide the same effect and safety profile to patients.

Some Common Examples of Generic and Branded Medicines

Branded Medicine	Generic Medicine
Medicine Name: Amtas At	Medicine Name: Amlomerit At
Composition: AMLODIPINE 5 MG+ATENOLOL 50 MG	Composition: AMLODIPINE 5 MG+ATENOLOL 50 MG
Manufactured By: Intas Pharmaceutical	Manufactured By: Pure & Cure Healthcare
Marketed By: Intas Pharmaceutical	Marketed By: Emeritus Pharma
Use: Anti-Hypertensive	Use: Anti-Hypertensive
Price: Strip of 15 tablets 170/-	Price: Strip of 15 tablets 55/-

So this is how we can differentiate Generic medicine and Branded medicine. Both medicines are FDA approved, similarly effective and trusted.

Personal Insights

From my own experience, I have often found myself reaching for generic medications when I visit the pharmacy. For instance, when I had a mild headache, I noticed that the generic version of a popular pain reliever was significantly cheaper than the branded option. I was initially hesitant, wondering if the effectiveness would be the same. However, after trying it, I realised that it worked just as well, and I saved a good amount of money in the process.

Many people share similar experiences. A friend of mine once had to manage a chronic condition that required regular medication. The cost of the branded version was overwhelming, but switching to the generic alternative made it much more manageable. This not only eased her financial burden but also allowed her to maintain her health without compromise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the differences between Generic and Branded medicines can empower consumers to make informed choices. By opting for generics, you can save money while still receiving effective treatment. Next time you’re at the pharmacy, consider asking about generic options; it might just be the best decision for your health and your wallet.

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