Generic Drugs
by: tristatemeds
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Word Count: 458
We have
heard about the term drugs and are very well aware of the purpose it is used
for. But what does the term Generic Drug mean? Does it have the same effect as
the branded drug available at the local pharmacist? If you have these questions
in mind, your questions will be answered before you complete reading this
article.
<b>Definitions</b>
<i>A
Branded Drug has a trade name and is drug manufactured by a well established
pharmaceutical company, protected by a patent.</i> It cannot be produced
or sold by any other company. A brand name will be more simpler than the
generic name.
<i>Generic
Drugs can be defined as a substitute or a bioequivalent of a branded drug
satisfying the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic standards.</i> A
generic name is the actual chemical name of the drug with respect to the
chemical ingredients present within the drug.
A drug
can be called generic only if it has the same chemical ingredients at same strength,
safety precautions and most importantly it has to meet the same pharmacopoeial
standard of preparation. If you are taking generic drugs, they are suppose to
be taken in the same manner as the branded drug i.e. similar dosage, similar
time duration, similar strength and similar instructions. Although instructions
about taking a particular is always mentioned on the packet cover.
Why do we
have different names and what purpose does it solve? Let's find out the reasons behind this naming
convention with an example of a shoe manufacturing company. We all wear shoes
everyday and the purpose of wearing shoes is simple to protect your feet. A
shoe from a branded company (an expensive pair of shoes) will do the same job
for you as would a normal cheaper brand of shoe will. But not everyone can
afford expensive shoes for their day to day use, so they settle down for a
normal black leather shoe. similarly, there are two kinds of drugs, a branded
one and a generic one both have the same chemical composition and safety
precaution but differ in price for the various research, manufacturing and
marketing cost incurred on the brand name company. One more reason for this
naming convention is that generic names are long and difficult to remember or
pronounce. But brand names given by the manufacturing companies are catchy,
single word names which are easy to remember.
<b>Important
Information</b>
Generic
drug of a particular drug cannot be produced if the patent associated with it
is still active. If someone manufactures a generic drug ignoring the patent the
brand company can file a lawsuit against the generic company.
About the Author
Jatin Chawla is a freelance journalist. Jatin writes for <a href="http://www.tristatemeds.com/index.php?utm_source=seo&utm_medium=article">http://www.tristatemeds.com/</a> offering valuable information on <a href="http://www.tristatemeds.com/index.php?utm_source=seo&utm_medium=article"> Generic Drug</a>.
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