Generic Drugs: Safe for You, Good for Your Wallet

A great way to help keep health costs down is to choose generic drugs over the brand name whenever possible. Generic drugs are usually the best value, providing the same clinical benefits for substantially less cost. These savings are passed along to you: For Sharp Health Plan members, most generic drugs have a lower copayment.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certifies that generic drugs are safe and effective, and therapeutically equivalent to their brand-name counterparts. Here are some answers from the FDA to questions you may have about the safety and effectiveness of generic drugs.

What is a generic drug?

When a brand-name drug's patent protection expires, generic versions of the drug can be approved for sale. The generic version works like the brand-name drug in dosage, strength, performance and use, and must meet the same quality and safety standards. All generic drugs must be reviewed and approved by the FDA.

How does the FDA ensure that my generic drug is as safe and effective as the brand-name drug?

All generic drugs are put through a rigorous multi-step process that includes a review of scientific data on the generic drug's ingredients and performance. The FDA also conducts periodic inspections of the manufacturing plant and monitors drug quality — even after the generic drug has been approved.

If generic drugs and brand-name drugs have the same active ingredients, why do they look different?

Generic drugs look different because certain inactive ingredients, such as colors and flavorings, may be different. These ingredients do not affect the performance, safety or effectiveness of the generic drug. Additionally, trademark laws in the U.S. do not allow a generic drug to look exactly like other drugs already on the market.

Are generic drugs always made in the same kinds of facilities as brand-name drugs?

All generic drug manufacturing facilities must meet the FDA’s standards of good manufacturing practices. The FDA will not permit drugs to be made in substandard facilities. The FDA conducts about 3,500 inspections a year to ensure that standards are met.  In fact, brand-name manufacturers produce approximately 50 percent of generic drugs.

For more information

You can feel confident about taking the generic equivalents to your brand-name drugs. To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.  You can also call the FDA directly at 1-888-INFO-FDA.