How do generic drugs compare to brand-name products?

• A. Generics are pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent to the brand-name; may have different inactive ingredients and usually lower cost.
• B. Generics must have identical inactive ingredients and cost the same as brand-name.
• C. Generics are inferior; not bioequivalent.
• D. Brand-name products are always more effective than generics.

Answer: (A)

Generics are made to deliver the same amount of active medicine in the same way as the brand-name product. They are pharmaceutically equivalent, meaning they have the same active ingredient, dosage form, strength, and route of administration, and they are bioequivalent, which means they reach the bloodstream at essentially the same rate and amount. Inactive ingredients can vary between a generic and its brand-name counterpart, such as fillers or coloring agents, but these changes don’t affect safety or effectiveness for most patients. Generics usually cost less because they don’t bear the initial research, development, and marketing costs of the brand-name product, while still providing the same therapeutic effect when used as prescribed.