What is a generic drug?

A generic drug contains the same active substance as, is essentially similar to, and is therefore interchangeable with an original brand name drug. A generic drug is marketed in accordance with patent law and is identified either by its own brand name or by its internationally approved proprietary scientific name. A generic drug is of the same quality, efficacy and safety as the original brand name product and undergoes strict scrutiny before it is licensed and given market approval by the authorities.

A generic drug is usually considerably less expensive than the brand name original. A key element for a generic drug is establishing bio-equivalency. Bio-equivalency means that the product to be evaluated produces essentially the same biological availability of the active substance in the body when given in the same quantity as the original.

Value added generic drugs

Innovative generic drugs are usually developed using innovative pharmaceutical technologies and such products achieve the goal of being more patient friendly. Usually these drug delivery systems make possible less frequent dosages. Because of this, patient compliance is higher, blood levels of therapeutic drug concentrations are more constant, and there are less adverse side effects. Innovative generic drugs must meet all the requirements of bio-equivalency and are of the same quality, efficacy and safety as the original drug.