Generics Vs Brands
We all might have visited the drug store at least once in our life time and ever wondered what are the Brands and Generic of Drugs and did we even know such types of drugs exist?
It is simple as this we all know Biscuits lets say Chocolate Biscuits!!!
Well when you buy Chocolate biscuits from the store its exactly same to your Generics in the drug store. One more step forward you try buying X - Chocolate biscuits ( Given - X any brand of Biscuits you prefer). Now this is more or less your brands in medicines. Now what are the differences of the two types of biscuits? May be the Packing, Labeling, Quality as you feel it But most importantly the content and the taste will be the same. This is common to medicines as well but in contrast both generics and any type of brand of a particular medicine should comply with similar quality standards.
Now to be very specific
Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are exactly the same as those of their brand-name counterparts.
The most simplest example
Paracetamol - Generic
Panadol - Brand name
The main advantage of using Generics over Brands is their comparatively low cost. Most patients are having in a wrong belief that generics are of low quality due to the lower prices but it is NOT... and they also wonder if the quality and effectiveness have been compromised to make the less expensive products. High cost doesn't always imply High Quality!!!!
Actually, generic drugs are only cheaper because the manufacturers have not had the expenses of developing and marketing a new drug. When a company brings a new drug onto the market, the firm has already spent substantial money on research, development, marketing and promotion of the drug. A patent is granted that gives the company that developed the drug an exclusive right to sell the drug as long as the patent is in effect.
Also the packing and labeling in Generics and Brands vary and most probably the appearance of the tablet or the capsule.
Another common disbelief is that generic drugs take longer to work. Both Generics and Brands should be manufactured under exact conditions and should be manufactures as per the regulations and are being tested for quality, safety and efficacy with no discrimination. So being less effective is not likely to happen if the quality control is done as per the guidelines.
For the same drug there can be several brands and generics available in the pharmacy with a huge price deviation according to the manufacturer.
So next time you go to your Pharmacist you have every right to ask for either Paracetamol or Panadol!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reference - https://www.fda.gov/home
