❍  Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as their brand equivalent.

❍  Generic drugs must be manufactured according to the same federal standards as brand name drug

     manufacturing.

❍  Companies that make generic medications are well-known and are respected as much as brand name

     manufacturers. Sometimes, brand name drug makers also make generic medicines at the same location.

❍  A generic drug must pass The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testing to prove that the generic

     version is therapeutically equivalent to the brand name drug.

❍  The color, shape, flavor and other inactive ingredients in generic drugs are different because of legal

      reasons.

❍ Generic drugs eventually become much less expensive than the brand name version. They cost less

     because the generic version did not have to do the same animal and basic testing. Generic drug

     companies also do not have to support an advertising campaign including the cost of sales people visiting

     doctor’s offices and expensive trips and company meetings

❍  Generics are as safe as their brand-name counterparts.

❍ The name of a generic drug is the chemical name for the identical brand name drug. For example, the

     generic drug simvastatin is the active ingredient in Zocor (a common cholesterol lowering medicine).

     Generic drug companies do not spend money doing market research as to the best name for a drug that

     will help it sell or the money on logos and other brand development costs.

❍  New generic versions of brand name drugs come to the market every year. Check the patent expiration

     section to learn what is now generic and what to expect.

❍  Sometimes your doctor may not know that some of your medicines are available as generic. This site can

     help you and your doctor learn what is available and how to get the most of your medicines.

Information adapted from the FDA website, Office of Generic Drugs.