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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Pharmacology > Pharmacy > name drugs vs generic
Expert: Mary E Scott, RPh, CGP
Date: 4/20/2008
Subject: name drugs vs generic
Question
are there any major differences in name brand drugs vs generic
Answer
Hi,Dan!
When a medication is first manufactured, the pharmaceutical company holds a patent on it for 17 (or so) years, making them the exclusive maker of it for that amount of time. This is so that they can recoup the research and development money they have invested in it. They give it a brand name such as Motrin.
After the patent expires, other drug companies can make it using the exact drug formulation or chemical makeup, though non-drug additives such as binders, flavoring,and coloring may be different. The tablets may look different,also, having a different shape, color, or number stamped on it. They may also give it a brand name to differentiate it from Motrin, say it's Advil. But both Motrin and Advil are ibuprofen, which is its generic or chemical name.
The FDA has to determine by chemical analysis if both brands of ibuprofen are chemically and therapeutically equivalent. If the Advil brand is not, the FDA doesn't allow them to claim that their drug is therapeutically equal. So, some generics may or may not be therapeutically equivalent. There are ratings for this,and they have to disclose these ratings to doctors and pharmacists in order to make a decision to switch someone from brand to generic. Most drugs are equivalent,but some states require that drugs on a negative formulary not be interchangeable. Examples are some antiseizure meds, etc
Hope this helps, Mary
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