Should you choose generic over name-brand medications?

Did you know that brand-name medications often have less costly generic versions that are just as effective? Accounting for 88 percent of the medicine sold in the United States, these types of drugs save consumers some $253 billion a year, according to the group Association for Accessible Medicines.

But judging by our reactions to that slightly off-tasting cereal or not-so-soft toilet paper you see perched next to similar name-brand goods in stores, it’s common to associate generic products with lesser quality. That's hardly the case when it comes to our prescriptions. Here, we answer six frequently asked questions about these types of drugs to help you learn if switching from name-brand to generic is the right choice for you. 

#1: Do generics work just like brand-name drugs? Yes! Generics must have the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they can be sold to consumers. That means manufacturers must prove that the generic version delivers “the same amount of active ingredients into a patient's bloodstream in the same amount of time” as the original drug, according to the FDA. A generic medicine must also have the same strength and quality as its name-brand counterpart. Because the generic works the same way in the body, it has the same benefits and the same risks as the name-brand drug it duplicates.

#2: Generics look different than the name-brand drug. What does this mean? Due to trademark laws, generic medicines are not allowed to look like drugs already on the market. Therefore, the size, shape, and color of a generic “copy” will be different from the brand-name version. This also means it’s different from other manufacturers’ versions of the same generic medicine. Despite these differences, the generics are equally safe and effective as the name-brand versions.

#3: There’s a different name on my generic medicine. Does that mean it has different ingredients? No. Name-brand medications typically have short and simple names meant to be memorable. Often, they sound a bit like the condition they treat or the benefit they provide. The names of generic drugs are usually a shortened version of the medicine’s chemical name or chemical formula.

#4: Are generic drugs held to the same standards as name-brand ones? Generic drugs are designed to be just as effective and high-quality as name-brand medicines. Every year, the FDA inspects over 3,500 pharmaceutical manufacturing plants to ensure ongoing quality.

#5: How much could I potentially save buying generic drugs? The average price tag for generic medicine is 85 percent lower than for name-brand drugs. The main reason: The generic drug maker doesn’t have to repeat research studies that originally demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the name-brand drug, according to the FDA. And you could be saving money in the long run, too. Taking your medications as prescribed by your health care practitioner is important for staying healthy, but high drug costs may be one reason people stop. According to the Association for Accessible Medicines, people are less likely to stop taking a generic drug compared with a brand-name drug.

#6: How can I find out if I have generic drug options? Every year, the FDA approves new generic drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a name-brand drug you take is available as a generic. You can also check the FDA’s online catalog of approved drugs at Drugs@FDA.