Almost half of all prescriptions today in the US are filled with generic drugs. Generic drugs are really as good as their brand-name counterparts. Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, dosage administration, safety and strength as the branded drug.

An example of a generic drug, one used for Blood Pressure, is Aceon. A brand name for Aceon is perindopril. A generic drug, one used for hypertension, is metoprolol whereas a brand name for the same drug is Lopressor.

Generic drugs are generally available at a much lower prices than the brand equivalent, many generic pharmacies offer free shipping, this makes generic drugs even cheaper to buy online than brand equivalents. Many people become concerned because generic drugs are often cheaper than the brand-name Drugs. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) requires that generic drugs be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs.

Actually, generic drugs are only cheaper because the manufacturers have not had the expenses of developing and marketing a new drug. When a drugs manufacturer develops new drugs, they are developed under patent protection. This patent protection protects the investment in the development of new drugs by giving the manufacturer the sole right to sell the drugs while the patent is in effect.

When the patent expires, drug manufacturers can apply to the FDA to sell generic versions. Manufacturers of generic drugs do not have to repeat the costly development and clinical research on ingredients or dosage forms as this has already been performed by the manufacturer of the brand name drug and the drug has already been approved for safety and effectiveness. Manufacturers of generic drugs are therefore able to market drugs without the expense of research and development. This means that generic drug manufacturers are able to sell generic drugs at cheaper prices.Generic drugs are in no way inferior in any way to the brand equivalent drug.

The positive points regarding the generic drugs are cheap prices and best quality. The standard of the generic is nowhere less than the original brand name drug.

There's no truth in the myths that generic drugs are manufactured in poorer-quality facilities or are inferior in quality to brand-name drugs. The FDA applies the same standards for all drug manufacturing facilities, and many companies manufacture both brand-name and generic drugs. In fact, the FDA estimates that 50% of generic drug production is by brand-name companies.

Generic drugs work as fast and as effectively as the brand-name products. Generic versions of a drug may have different colors, flavors, or combinations of inactive ingredients than the original medications. Trademark laws in the United States do not allow the generic drugs to look exactly like the brand-name preparation, but the active ingredients must be the same in both preparations, ensuring that both have the same medicinal effects.

Generic Drugs Identification Chart.