Generic Drugs -- The Effective Alternative
by Mr. Thomas
TrustedTabs.biz
Title: Generic Drugs -- The Effective Alternative
Generic Drugs are becoming the people's best alternative for expensive medications.
Generic Medications have been very helpful especially with the increasing prices on every commodity in the market. They are also mo
re convenient because you can find these medicines in almost all drugstores. Moreover, they can be easily purchased in the internet through online pharmacies like the TrustedTabs.biz . Generic Drug Definition
Generic drug is also commonly known as generics. These are drugs which are manufactured and sold without any specific brand name. Generic drugs are bioequivalent to its branded counterpart. When you say bioequvalent, it means that the drug possesses the exact active ingredients present in its branded counterpart. The generic brand has the same dosage, the same strength or ability to cure and the same effect on individuals who takes it in.
Generic drug is not very new. There were already generic drugs in the 1920's. The generic drugs then, however, were not as moderated and screened as it is now. In 1984 when the Hatch-Waxman Act was approved it introduced the generic medicine to the market again. But under this act, the branded medicines will not allow any generic medicine to come out if it is still under the warranty of the patent. This is usually around 20 years from the year the patent was awarded. And an additional 5 years is also given as an extension. Beyond those 25 years, the generic drug can already be made available in the market. This also states that the generic drugs should comply with the bioequivalence of the branded medicine.
Characteristics of a Generic Drug
1. Generic drugs are usually cheaper than medicines with brand names.
This is because the company who produces the generic drugs no longer need to spend millions of dollars for research and development. They do not undergo the process of discovering the drug (and creating a patent for it, for that matter); instead, what they do is to merely breakdown the branded drug to its smallest part to be able to determine its bioequivalence. From breaking it down, they analyze and study these components to formulate a new product, the generic drug. Once they have already discovered the bioequivalence of the medicine, they manufacture it. They will no longer undergo processes such as clinical testing because this was already made by the maker of branded medicine. Due to these reasons, generic drug makers save more and has lesser production cost and thus, in effect, can sell its products at low costs.
2. Generic drugs should be similar in content with its branded counterpart.
Generic drugs, as stated in the Hatch-Waxman Act should have the same bioequivalence, meaning it should contain identical active components especially its pharmacokinetics as well as the pharmacodynamic properties. Since it has the same main constituent, it should also have the same dosage and effect to the patients. It should have the same manner of administration and safety precautionary measures involved. Generic drugs should also be medicated to the same type of illness since it has the same effectiveness as the medicines with brand names.
3. Generic drugs have different appearance from the branded medicine.
A generic drug is always different in appearance when it is compared side-by-side to its branded counterpart.
Either it has different color or size or shape. Sometimes it also differs in flavor and in packaging. This is because it is against the trademark law to completely copy from other products. This is not only true in generic drugs but in all other items or goods that are produced.
It will create identity problems in products if this is allowed.
4. Not all brand-name drugs have a generic drug counterpart.
Newer medicines do not have a generic counterpart, yet. As discussed earlier, the brand-name medicines are patented for 20 years. It is only after 20 years that other drug companies can produce a generic drug for the brand-name medicine. The 20 year patent year is the security of the brand-name medicine that it will be free from any competitor.
Brand names and its generic counterparts
To identify the generic name from the brand name, be watchful on how it is written on the packaging. The brand-name is written in bold capital letters while the generic name is not.
There are a wide range of branded medicines which already have generic drugs. One of which is the Lansoprazole. This is a generic name for a medicine for hyperacidity. Found in the website of TrustedTabs.biz is Prevacid. This is the brand-name used for their lanzopazole product. It can be availed for only $1.55 per 30 mg tablet.
Another example is Carisoprodol, a generic name for a medicine which relaxes the muscles which experience discomfort due to sprain or muscle injuries. The brand name for this product is Soma. This can be availed for only $0.89 per 350 mg tablet. This is so cheap compared with its other counterparts.
There are certain sites in the internet which offers generic medicines. These sites receive requests and orders online to facilitate faster shipping. One of these sites is the TrustedTabs.biz
About the Author
Info for the general public, concerning Generic Medications and Brand Name Medications. With the cost of everything rising, shouldn't we be more conservative, even buying our needed medications. Generic Medications, exact same ingredients as brand but much cheaper. www.trustedtabs.biz