What is a generic medicine?

A brand name drug always has a patent filed by the laboratory that developed the product. The formula is on average protected for 10 years , and once this time exceeded, it is possible to make a "copy" of the drug.
Therefore, the generic has the same active principles as the original ...

Is a generic medicine as effective as an original drug?

As it is only a " copy " of an orginal drug, many question its effectiveness . However, it is supposed to contain exactly the same active ingredient as the reference product, the dosage and the quality being equally identical. It would therefore dispense the same therapeutic effect as the branded drug ...

However, it is imperative to point out that to date, no independent scientific study has shown that effectiveness is guaranteed. Indeed, cases of intolerance have already been noticed ... In addition, the French health authorities allow a margin of variability of - 20% to 25% between the "true" and the "false" drug. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the generics are "true copies" ...

What are the differences between a generic and a brand name drug?

- Firstly the price : globally 30 to 50% cheaper for a generic, which is cheaper for the patient , but also for the health insurance that reimburses the drugs.

Its composition is generally the same for the active principle, but concerning the excipent, that is to say the part which includes the active principle, there is no imperative. He can change .

- Finally, the name and packaging are of course strictly different.