Name: Mahnoor

Department: DPT
I’D: 19004241-016
Assignment:
Pharmacology 1
Topic:
How would you differentiate between Brand Name and Generic name?
Explain with examples.
Brand Name:
Branded drugs are also called as the “Innovator drugs”. A brand name, which is given by the
pharmaceutical company that markets the drug.

Generic Name:
A generic name, which is the drug’s ‘active ingredient’ that makes it work. The generic name of
assigned by the manufacturer who develops the drug.

Difference between Brand Name and Generic Name:

The difference between generic and branded medications does not lie in formulation and quality,
but is represented by a patent that gives the developer an exclusive right in manufacturing and
distributing its product, and only allows other manufacturers to create generic forms of the drug
in the event that the patent expires, according to medical experts.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires generic drugs to have the same performance
and quality as brand name drugs. The FDA says: “When a generic drug product is approved, it has
met rigorous standards established by the FDA with respect to identity, strength, quality, purity,
and potency.”
Cost is the main difference between generic and brand name prescription drugs. Unlike brand
companies, generic manufacturers compete directly on price, resulting in lower prices for
consumers.

1. Difference Based On the Patent Protection by the Manufacturing Company:

The most crucial difference between the branded drugs and the generic drugs is they are
produced by a company which holds the patent for 20 years. However, the generic drugs are
made available at the market by the pharmaceutical companies only after the patent protection
period expires, i.e. only after 20 years.
 2. Difference in the Cost:
One of the major differences is the difference in the cost. The brand name drugs are far expensive
than the generic drugs.

3. Difference in the Inactive Components:

Though the active components in generic drugs are similar to the branded drugs active
component, the inactive components may vary. For instance, the dyes or preservatives used may
vary.

4. Difference in the Color and Shape:

There is a difference in the color of a generic drug and the brand name drug. The drug production
requires the use of inactive ingredients like dyes, filters and preservatives. The Trademark laws
from the brand name drug companies restricts the generic drug manufacturing companies to
produce the similar looking drugs and thus they look different in the color and also in the shape.

How brand name and generics drugs differ?

Different inactive ingredients:
In a brand name and generic drugs relationship, the difference is the inactive ingredient
contained in the drugs. Since what the FDA is particular about is the active ingredients, generic
and brand name drugs’ inactive ingredients are different. It is why it is important to look through
the ingredient list on the drug label to see if there is any ingredient not good for you.

Cheaper than the brand name drugs:

The cash price and insurance copay is typically lower. The cost can be lesser between 20 and 80
percent. It is meant to be because generic drugs companies do not bear the same investment
costs as the brand name company.

Different manufacturers:
Different manufacturers produce generic drugs, and you will receive your type of drug depending
on which manufacturer your drug store uses.

Examples:
i. An example of a generic drug, one used for Diabetes, is Metformin. A brand name for
metformin is Glucophage. (Brand names are usually capitalized while generic names are not.)
A generic drug, one used for Hypertension, is Metoprolol, whereas a brand name for the
same drug is Lopressor.
ii. For example, Amphetamine salt combo is the generic version of Adderall, a medication used
to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. These 2 prescription drugs are available in
the same strengths, are prescribed in the same quantities, and have the same instructions for
 how to take them. The same is true for Metformin, the generic version of Glucophage, a drug
used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Comparison between Generic and Brand Name Drugs:

Similarities: Dissimilarities:
They must contain the same active They could have different sizes, shapes, colors.
ingredients.
They must have the same dosage strength They might have different inactive ingredients.
(example, 20mg or 40mg).
They must be the same dosage form. The generic costs less than the brand name
drug.
They must have the same route of
administration.
They must deliver similar amounts of drug to
the bloodstream.