Brand Name or Generic - What is the Difference?

Brand Name Drugs

A brand name drug is supplied and marketed by the drug company which holds the patent for that drug. Holding a patent means that company has exclusive rights to market and sell that drug. Usually, the inventor or developer holds the patent, but it can be sold to another person or company. A patent is good for 20 years. When it runs out, other drug companies can sell the drug as a generic name drug. The brand name still belongs to the original company. Brand name drugs must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (the FDA) before they can be legally sold in this country. To confuse things further, a few drugs have two brand names. amoxicillin (a generic name), for example, has the brand names Amoxil and Dispermox.

Generic Name Drugs

The generic version of a medicine is also approved by the FDA and is, basically, a copy of the brand name medicine. It is often marketed under its chemical name. For example, Prilosec is the brand name for the generic is esomeprazole. While the generic name is often longer and sounds more complicated, this is not always true. The generic medication coal tar (used for skin problems) has the brand name Fototar.

A generic drugs usually cost 30% to 75% less than the brand name version. Unless your doctor specifies otherwise, the pharmacist may substitute the generic version of your medicine for the brand name, even if the prescription has the brand name. A generic drug may look different in size and color but it must have the same active ingredients, strength and dosage form (pill, liquid or injection) and provide the same effectiveness, as the brand name medicine. Generic drugs must also be approved by the FDA. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your prescription.

Which Am I Taking?

Look on the label of your medication. The name and dosage of your medicine will appear in capital letters. If it is a generic drug, small words underneath will say DISP FOR: followed by the brand name. "DISP FOR" means dispense for, or substitute for, the brand name drug.

For example, CIPROFLOXACIN HCL would say DISP FOR: CIPRO. These words will not appear on a brand name medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the drugs that have been prescribed and dispensed for you.

You do not need to understand or be concerned with the difference between brand name or generic to find a Patient Assistance Program on the NeedyMeds site. You can easily search for a program by simply looking for your medicine on both lists. Each entry lists both names and links you to the same program page. You are usually eligible for a Patient Assistance Program if your prescription is for either the brand name or the generic name medicine. Unfortunately, if your medicine is not on either list, it is not part of a patient assistance program.

Created 12/23/06