Generic drug

Generic medicines are cost-effective alternatives to brand-name drugs. They contain the exact same active ingredient (the part that produces the therapeutic effect) and have the same benefits as their brand-name counterparts. Generic drugs are approved based on rigorous testing to ensure they are bioequivalent, meaning they work in the same way and have the same safety profile as the original medication.

Differences between generic and brand-name drugs:

• Lower cost: Since generic manufacturers don’t need to recoup research and development expenses, they can offer significant savings compared to brand-name drugs.
• Different inactive ingredients: Generics may contain different inactive ingredients, such as e.g., fillers, colouring, or flavouring, compared to brand-name drugs. These inactive ingredients can explain variations in shape, appearance and taste.
• Patent expiration: Generic drugs typically become available only after the patent on the original brand-name drug expires. This allows the original developer to recoup their investment before competition enters the market and to finance other developments.

Generic medicine (EMA)

Generic dug facts (US FDA, 2021)

Medicines information (UK NHS, 2023)

The differences between the branded and generic medicines using solid dosage forms: In-vitro dissolution testing (Results in Pharma sciences, 2011)

Different dissolution conditions affect stability and dissolution profiles of bioequivalent levodopa-containing oral dosage forms (International journal of pharmaceutics, 2022)

In-vitro comparative dissolution study of different brands of Ranitidine hydrochloride tablets available in Bangladesh (International journal of sciences and applied research, 2016)