Are brand-name and generic drugs equivalent?
A generic drug is equivalent to the brand-name drug with the same active ingredient, dosage form and strength. The FDA assures equivalence between the brand-name and generic products. Generic drugs cost less than brand-name products. For example, for high cholesterol, Zocor® is now available in generic form from multiple manufacturers under the generic name simvastatin. Zocor® and simvastatin are identical drugs – the only difference is one is a brand-name, the other is generic and costs much less.
