What You Need to Know About Generic Medications

Generic drugs are a therapeutic "copy" of brand-name drugs.

Every year, more than 400 million prescriptions are filled with generic medications in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA regulates generic medications. They are allowed on the market only after testing has proved they produce the same effect on the body as their brand-name counterparts.

Not every drug has a generic. Generally, when brand-name drugs are first introduced, a patent protects them for 17 years before a generic alternative can be manufactured. Drug companies can apply for extensions of this patent protection period. If the patent period isn't extended, other companies can introduce their version of the brand-name product after 17 years.

Lower cost

Prescription medications are one of the fastest-growing areas of U.S. health care spending. Whether you have a consumer-directed health plan such as a medical savings account or more traditional health insurance, knowing how to save money on your health care is important.

One way to reduce the high cost of prescription drugs is to switch to generic drugs, which are priced 25 to 80 percent lower than the equivalent brand-name versions.

One reason generic drugs cost less than their brand-name equivalents is that manufacturers of generics spend less money on advertising and product development because the brand-name equivalent already is well-known.

Quality assured

FDA rules state that a generic drug must be "bioequivalent" to the brand-name drug, meaning it must have the same active ingredients, strength, dosage form, safety, quality, purity, stability, and performance. The generic drug also must be absorbed at the same rate.

Drug makers must adhere to strict manufacturing requirements to earn approval to sell their products. Keep in mind that generic drugs bought over the Internet from places outside the United States are not regulated by the FDA and may not meet the same standards for equivalency or safety as those sold in this country.

Differences between brand-name and generic drugs that may make a difference in how compliant a patient is in taking the medication are the size, shape and coating. These differences do not affect the quality, effectiveness or safety of a drug. Other differences between brand-name and generic drugs include taste and inactive ingredients.

Doctor approved

Depending on the medications you take and how often you take them, you could save hundreds of dollars every year by taking generics instead of brand-name medications.

When your health care provider gives you a prescription for a brand-name medication, ask if he or she can prescribe the generic equivalent instead. You also can ask if you can switch from brand names to generics for medications you already take.

In some cases, providers prefer brand names for medical or technical reasons. If so, your provider should be able to explain why.