How to make the right choice

Most people know that branded drugs often have generic colleagues. We also know that generic drugs are cheaper than branded versions. Of course, everyone wants to save money. But this is your health that we are talking about. So, the question about branded vs generic drugs is: Are they the same?

In short, the answer Yes. Generic drugs are usually as good and as safe as their more expensive brand versions. However, you must realize some things when choosing between them.

Brand vs generic drugs: What’s the difference?

Medical drug patent process

Pharmaceutical companies (drugs) develop and produce branded drugs after extensive research, testing, and clinical trials. To sell these drugs, which means getting approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), companies must prove that they have tested them for safety and effectiveness. Most drugs must undergo 3 rounds of clinical trials before being approved, such as the type of clinical trial that we did at UVA Health.

This kind of testing requires money. To protect this investment and to encourage more in the future, the US government provides patents to individual medicinal companies. Patent gives a single company legal rights to make and sell new drugs for about 20 years. The idea is that the drug company can then make the money, plus profits, during the patent period.

To get a patent, a company must show that drugs are:

• New
• Unclear (more than just tweaks for existing products)
• Beneficial

After the 20 -year sign, other companies can start making a generic drug version.

How generic drugs compared to brand names

After the patent ends, other companies can apply to the FDA to produce their own generic drug version. To get approval, generic drugs must match the original by:

• Contains the same active ingredient
• Own most of the same strength and dose
• Taken in the same way (for example, through the mouth, injection, etc.)

Another way to say this is that generic drugs must show that they are “bioequivalent” of branded drugs.

The amount of drug in generic vs. brand

When compared to the branded version, the number of drugs absorbed by someone using the generic version is not possible:

• Less than 80%
• More than 125%

This range of variations is generally deemed medically insignificant and based on natural variations in the level of drug absorption in large groups of patients.

In a little further guarantee, the FDA continued to monitor generic drugs after they were approved.

So, if you use the generic drug version, you can be sure that you get the same benefits from it from the more expensive branded version.

Why are generic drugs cheaper?

Because active ingredients, strength, dosage, and way you use medicine are basically the same, why is the generic version cheaper? There are several reasons.

• Generic drug makers do not need to charge as much money as possible. They don’t try to replace any financial investment. Pharmaceutical companies that develop branded versions have made heavy appointments.
• Generic drug makers usually do not spend money on marketing or advertisements such as many branded drugs.
• Because some different companies can make the same generic drugs, price competition can also reduce costs.

When to choose a brand name rather than a generic drug

When comparing generic drugs with branded names, you must remember 2 things.

Narrow-therapy-drugs

These are drugs where small differences in doses can cause serious ineffectiveness or side effects. For these drugs, you want to be careful about the type you choose. Your doctor can help you with information about which is the best for your condition.

Examples of these drugs include blood thinners, cancer and certain heart drugs, and seizures. If you take one of them, you might have a regular blood test for safety.

A little difference in how producers make this drug can have a big impact. So doctors and pharmacists prescribe this carefully.

Allergens in materials

Companies can use different ingredients in various drug versions. You may feel allergic to something in the generic version of the drug that is not in the brand version.

You will see these ingredients registered in the drug label as “inactive.” This is a non-medical component of a drug. Examples include:

• Binding agent to keep the pill or tablet together
• Coloring or coloring
• Disintegrated, which helps the pill or tablet break after you swallow it
• Preservatives to extend the shelf life of the drug

Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any allergy that you might have of these ingredients.

The point is when choosing your medicine

For most people, generic drugs are as good as branded versions.

FDA and professional organizations such as the American Medical Association, along with most doctors and pharmacists, support generic drugs when possible.

Patients, especially those who have chronic or long -term conditions, support generic drugs for economic reasons, because they are as effective as branded drugs.

Of course, as in terms of your health, talk to your doctor about your choice with your prescription.