Whats the difference between generic drugs and brand name drugs?
When a drug company first invents a drug (i.e. Prozac) that company is the only one allowed to make that drug for a certain number of years (approximately 10 years in the US and 5-7 years in Canada). After this time period, other companies are allowed to make the same drug. These drugs are called generics. The original drug (i.e. Prozac) is called a brand name drug. Brand name drugs and their generics are identical in terms of active ingredients. The generic pills may look different (because they are made by a different company) but inside is exactly the same active ingredient, which works in exactly the same way. The only difference between brand name drugs and generic drugs is that generics are always less expensive.
