Difference Between Brand Name and Generic Drugs
Difference Between Brand Name and Generic Drugs Brand name drugs and generic drugs are both medications used to treat medical conditions, but there are some key differences between the two. A brand name drug is a medication that is patented and marketed under a specific name by a pharmaceutical company. It is usually more expensive than its generic counterpart because the company has invested time, money, and resources in researching, developing, and marketing the drug. On the other hand, a generic drug is a medication that is equivalent to a brand-name product in dose, strength, quality, and intended use, but does not carry the brand name. It is usually much cheaper than the brand-name version because the original drug's patent has expired, allowing other companies to produce and sell the medication. The active ingredient in generic drugs must be the same as the active ingredient in the brand-name product. In addition, generic drugs must meet the same quality standards as their