What is a “generic” drug?
A “generic” drug is quite simply a copy of the Brand name product that contains the same active ingredient and meets the same rigorous pharmaceutical standards as Brand name drugs for quality, purity, and strength before they can be marketed. Slight differences are possible but not in any of the active pharmaceutical ingredients, nor in the therapeutic effect of the product itself. All generic drugs and brand name drugs are treated similarly and must be reviewed and approved by Health Canada (the Canadian equivalent to the US FDA) before they can be sold. Canada has some of the highest standards and strictest guidelines in the world for the manufacturing of “generic” drugs. While many people believe that “generic” drugs are somehow a different medication, they are not. They are equivalent medications, available at a much lower price.
