About GPhA

What's in a Name?

It's easy to play the name game with brands and generics –- the brand is the one with the catchy marketing name and the generic is the one with the more scientific-sounding chemical name. But there’s nothing complicated about the differences between brands and generics. That’s because the only real differences are the catchy name of the brand, sometimes the look, and always the lower price of the generic.

What’s most important is what is NOT different –- and that’s safety and efficacy. Generics are just as safe and effective as the brand. Plus, when generics enter the market, the same medicine brings competition and lower prices.

Different Name, Same Results

By law, a generic manufacturer must meet the same high standards as its brand counterpart to receive FDA approval, with the same:

• safety and effectiveness
• active ingredient
• strength and dosage
• labeling and use
• high quality manufacturing standards

Sometimes a generic medicine may be a different color, size or shape because patents may prevent the generic from looking identical to the brand drug. These cosmetic differences have no impact on safety or effectiveness.

It's not easy to be approved by the FDA, but these high standards ensure that your generic medicine is the same as the brand drug it replaces, and will provide you with the same results.