What are generic drugs? Understand the difference between generic drugs and original drugs in three minutes
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When you get a prescription at the hospital or consider buying medicine from overseas, you may see terms such as "generic drug" and "original drug". What is the difference between the two? Do they really have the same effect? This article uses the simplest way to help you understand it in three minutes!
🔍 1. What is a generic drug?
Generic drugs, also often referred to as "generic drugs" or "off-patent drugs", refer to drugs manufactured by other pharmaceutical companies based on the same ingredients and dosage formula after the patent protection period of the original drug (patented drug) expires.
✅ Three major conditions for generic drugs:
- Same active ingredient
- Same dosage form (eg, oral tablet, injection) and dose
- Bioequivalence
This means that the generic drug is almost identical to the original drug in terms of absorption, metabolism and efficacy in the body.
💊 2. Comparison of the differences between original and generic drugs
|
project |
Original brand medicine |
Generic |
|---|---|---|
|
Element |
Exclusive research and development, patent protection |
Same ingredients, copied after the formula is made public |
|
price |
Usually high, including R&D costs |
Lower, due to no R&D and market competition |
|
Packaging appearance |
Exquisite and brand-recognizable |
The appearance may be different, but the ingredients are the same |
|
Quality Control |
Subject to strict review |
It also needs to be approved by the pharmaceutical administration department |
|
Efficacy |
Standard potency |
Bioequivalent, consistent effects |
Conclusion: The ingredients and effects are the same, but the prices are very different.
🌏 3. Why do many people choose generic drugs?
💰Save money : Generic drugs are often 10-50% of the original drug, significantly reducing treatment costs
🌐Supply from multiple countries : Countries like India and Bangladesh are major exporters of generic drugs worldwide
🏥Hospitals also use it : Many hospitals and health insurance systems also use a large number of generic drugs
❓ FAQ
Q1: Will generic drugs be less effective?
Won't. As long as they pass the bioequivalence test, the effectiveness and safety of generic drugs are equivalent to those of the original drugs.
Q2: Why do some generic drugs look different?
Generic drugs have different designs to avoid trademark infringement, but the ingredients and dosage are the same.
Q3: Are generic drugs from overseas safe?
As long as it is manufactured by a regular pharmaceutical factory approved by the local government (such as WHO, FDA, Bangladesh DGDA), it is usually legal and safe. However, cross-border drug purchases still require confirmation of whether local laws allow it.
📝 Summary: Make smart health choices for yourself
Generic drugs are an indispensable part of the modern medical system, helping hundreds of millions of people reduce their medication burden. As long as the source is reliable and compliant, choosing generic drugs is a safe, effective and affordable option.
📚 Want to know more about generic drugs and direct overseas purchases?
👉 Check out our Health News column for more useful articles!