With the rising cost of medications, many people are not able to afford branded drugs and choose to buy generic drugs instead. Therefore, both patients, as well as physicians need to know everything about generic medications.

Generic medicines are cost-effective alternatives to brand-name drugs and are considered safe and effective by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One needs to know how they work and how they are compared to brand-name medications. So, let us find out more about generic drugs.

Need to Follow Strict Guidelines Set by FDA

The FDA sets strict guidelines for a drug to be approved as a generic. For example, a generic drug must contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name drug, be of the same strength, and be taken similarly. These general medicines should have the same quality, purity, and stability as brand-name medication.

Even slight differences in the inactive ingredients can affect how a drug is absorbed in the body. Therefore, to be considered safe for consumption, generic medicines must follow strict guidelines set by the FDA.

As Safe & Effective as Brand Name Drugs

There is a myth about generic medicines. People tend to believe that the costlier the medication, the better the quality and effectiveness. However, one of the essential things everyone needs to know about generic drugs is that they are safe and effective, just like brand-name medicines. So, patients should be comfortable consuming these generic medicines, while physicians should be comfortable prescribing them. They are essential to keep healthcare costs down while providing good quality care.

Not All Generic Drugs Have the Same Characteristics

It is not necessary that all generic drugs will have the same color or will look the same. We need to understand that even if different generic drugs are bioequivalent to their brand-name drugs, they may not be identical. The active ingredients found in generic medications may be the same, they may have different colors and flavors. These characteristics do not affect the effectiveness or safety of generic drugs in any way.

Final Words 

Generic medications have the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts, but they are often less expensive, which makes it easier for patients to purchase them from a generic drug store. If you want a generic drug plan, visit BayGreen Pharmacy.

Our pharmacists will work closely with you to choose the best generic drug plan that will work for you. They will address all your concerns and if needed provide alternatives to brand-name drugs. Give us a call today!