Generic drugs are copies of the trademarked drugs you may already be familiar with. The Food and Drug Administration requires that the generic drug be identical in dosage, side effects, risks, safety as well as strength as the patented drug. The active ingredients are identical in both the non-brand and the name brand drug. Sometimes the inactive ingredients may differ, but never the ingredients that make the drug work.

You will notice that the generic medicine may not be the same shape, color and sometimes even the flavor will differ, but know that the active ingredients are the same. The FDA specifically states that the two drugs must not look like exact replicas. In terms of packaging, one way you will be able to tell a brand from a non brand is that the brand name will has more uppercase letters than the generic drug’s packaging. In the case of a non trademarked drug, the name is derived from the chemical formula.

There are several reasons that brand name drugs are more expensive than drugs without a patent name. Prior to a doctor being able to prescribe a drug, the drug must go through many processes to make sure it is safe for humans to take and that it will do what is was meant to do. This takes years of research, trials, marketing and money before the drug is available to the consumer. The original manufacturer then passes the costs of all the trials and research on to the consumer.

Generic counterparts are allowed to be produced after the patent expires. A drug manufacturer must go though the FDA to be granted permission to produce each specific generic drug. Because this manufacturer did not have to go through the years of trials and research, the generic drugs are much less costly to make and it is the savings, instead, passed on to the consumer. The prices may also be reduced again when several manufacturers start producing the same drug.

Sometimes you will find that both name brand and non name brand are made in the same factory. FDA standards must be met in all drugs that are produced, so the only big difference is the price.

In the United States a pharmacist can substitute a generic drug with a name brand drug without the prescribing doctors’ permission, but can not do a substitution without the patients’ permission. This means you always have a choice between generic or brand name, if your doctor has written the prescription for a brand mane product. You should always talk to your doctor about the medicines you are being prescribed and about non brand and brand name versions. Since everyone likes to save money, choosing the non brand name is a good choice.

Even if you have health insurance plan where the copayments are low, the cost for the generic version will be even lower. Also, by using less financial resources, you contribute to keep health insurance and health care costs lower.

So although generic drugs may look different and have hard-to-pronounce and difficult-to-remember names, remember they do come in the same dosages and are regulated by the same standards as the name brand drugs.

Jude Nicklos’ crew of consultants are curious about all things relevant to medicinal health care. Jude Nicklos is happy to enlighten everyone about the benefits of Generic Drugs. Are you tired of being in agony and don’t feel like you’re becoming any healthier? Visit an Online Pharmacy.