Information about Generic Drugs

Generic drugs have been making headlines recently, as the cost of brand-name medications skyrockets and family budgets tighten. A generic drug is the chemical equivalent of a brand-name drug. Ibuprofen, for example, is the generic version of Motrin IB.

The FDA requires generics to have the same active ingredients, strength, purity and stability as their brand-name counterparts. It’s called being “bio-equivalent.” Yet they cost considerably less. Generics save consumers an estimated 8 to 10 billion dollars a year at retail pharmacies. The only difference between generics and brand-name drugs may be the inactive ingredients, such as dyes and coatings used.

To find out if a brand-name drug that you take regularly has a generic equivalent, contact the FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at www.fda.gov/cder/ogd (click on “drug information”), or call toll-free 888-463-6332.