If a pharmacist offers you to buy a medicine “the same but cheaper”, most probably, it is referred to a generic medication.
1. What is generic?
Generic is a cheaper analogue of an original (brand) medicine.
2. Do generics perform as originals?
Yes, generics have the same medical properties, because they have the same active ingredients as originals. There is also a flip side: side effects of generics and brands are the same.
The right of generics for existence is proven and time-tested. Generics are purchased much more often than originals even in such well-to-do countries as Sweden and the USA.
3. Originals are produced on the equipment of more recent design?
No. Both generics and originals are officially permitted medications, which are produced according to all technological and hygienic standards. Generics are diligently produced practically in all the countries of the world. It is a separate direction of the pharmaceutics industry.
4. Due to which factor the price of generics is so low?
Companies spend 15 years to develop a new original preparation; moreover, research activity goes up on many directions at the same time. Unfortunately, up to 90% projects — potential novelties —turn out to be inefficient “at the tape” and are not introduced to the market, thus, millions dollars fly out of the window. These expenses are to be compensated by increase of the sale price of a single preparation resulted to be successful.
Manufacturers of generics do not bear side expenses, their task is to repeat the thing that have been developed before them. Therefore their price is more accessible for consumers.
In the list of the best selling medications - originals rarely take the first place.
5. Does a generic actually double an original?
If one considers the chemical compositions of the both, it will turn out to be that actually they are not duplicates: their “medicinal core” is common, but auxiliary additives are different. Additives do not affect medical process.
Upon the end of validity end date of patent protection a company-original sells only a semi-product of its brand to other manufacturers. But the secrets of its production are not revealed. While manufacturers are struggling to carry the semi-product through, in pharmacies only original medicines continues to be sold. As soon as the manufacturers succeed in creating analogues - generics will appear on pharmacy’s shelves.
6. Does every medicine have a generic?
Practically yes. With the exception of unique medications for the treatment of cancer and AIDS, where any optional ingredient is significant.
