Why are generic drugs less expensive than brand-name drugs?
It’s expensive to create a new brand name drug and market it to the public. Generic drug manufacturers do not have those expenses, since they don’t pay for the research that led to the discovery of the new drug. Therefore, the medications they produce can cost significantly less for the exact same ingredients, strengths and doses. Those savings are usually passed on to you through lower out-of-pocket costs when generics are selected. Generic medications could lower your out-of-pocket costs by up to 60 percent over the cost of a brand-name medication.
