Wednesday May 2nd, 2012
What does "generic" really mean?
This year many popular brand-name drugs will become available in generic form. Are they as good?
The Food and Drug Administration approves both brand-name and generic drugs. The two medicines are identical in
active ingredient(s), strength, quality, safety, and how they work;
required lab testing to prove they are absorbed 80% - 125% as well as the original (the average tends to be 96% - 104%);
manufacturing standards that ensure consistency and purity.
Brand-name and generic drugs are different in