Are generic drugs as effective as brand-name drugs?
Yes. A generic drug is the same as a brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, quality, the way it works, the way it is taken and the way it should be used.
FDA requires generic drugs have the same high quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name medicines.
Not every brand drug has a generic drug. When new meds are first made they have drug patents. When the patent expires, other pharma companies can start selling a generic version of the drug.
Generic drugs in Canada are an essential component of the healthcare system, providing safe, effective, and cost-efficient alternatives to brand-name medications. Here’s a detailed overview of their characteristics and significance:
Safety and Effectiveness of Generic Drugs in Canada
Both generic and brand-name drugs must meet rigorous testing and quality control standards set by Health Canada. This ensures that generic drugs are as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts. Generic drugs are required to demonstrate bioequivalence to the original brand-name drug, meaning they release the same active ingredient into the bloodstream at the same rate and extent. This ensures that generics provide the same therapeutic benefits.
Generic drugs account for nearly 75% of all prescriptions filled in Canada, yet they represent only about 21% of the total spending on prescription medications. The average cost of a generic drug is significantly lower—often around 25% of the price of its brand-name equivalent—allowing Canadians to save substantial amounts on healthcare costs.
The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association emphasizes that increasing the use of generics is vital for the sustainability of healthcare systems. A modest increase in generic usage could lead to significant savings for individuals and the healthcare system as a whole.
Spanish And French Translations Of Common Medication Words:
| English | Spanish | French |
|---|---|---|
| Medications | Medicamentos | Médicaments |
| Tablets | Comprimidos | Comprimés |
| Capsules | Cápsulas | Gélules |
Pharmacies in the United States
Top 10 Pharmacy chains in the U. S. ranked by the number of pharmacists:
| 1 Walgreens | 2 CVS | 3 Walmart | 4 Rite Aid | 5 Kroger |
| 6 Target | 7 Kaiser Permanente | 8 Sears | 9 Cardinal Health | 10 Dominick’s |
Pharmacy-led chains in the United Kingdom
| Alliance Boots | The Co-operative | Lloyds Pharmacy |
| Numark | Rowlands Pharmacy | Superdrug |
The World’s Largest Pharmaceutical Companies
Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Baxter, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boots, CSL, Eli Lilly, Forest, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmann – La Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer (with Wyeth), Sanofi – Aventis, Sandoz, Solvay, Takeda, Teva, UCB, Watson