GENERIC DRUG Meaning and
Definition
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A generic drug refers to a pharmaceutical product that is designed to be an exact replica of a brand-name drug in terms of active ingredients, dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality, performance, and intended use. Generic drugs are produced after the patent protection expires on the original brand-name drug, allowing other manufacturers to produce and sell the generic version. The primary factor that distinguishes generic drugs from their brand-name counterparts is the absence of a patent, which enables manufacturers to market the drug under its generic name rather than the brand name.
The process of making a generic drug involves demonstrating bioequivalence to the brand-name drug through rigorous testing. Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), require that generic drugs be identical in terms of active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration. These agencies ensure that generic drugs are therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name product, meaning they have the same intended effect on patients' medical conditions.
Generic drugs are typically more affordable than brand-name drugs as they do not require extensive research and development or marketing costs. They offer a cost-effective alternative for patients who require long-term medication by providing the same therapeutic benefit at a lower price, thus increasing access to essential medications. The availability of generic drugs promotes competition within the pharmaceutical market, ultimately leading to lower prices and greater options for patients.
Common Misspellings for GENERIC DRUG
- feneric drug
- veneric drug
- beneric drug
- heneric drug
- yeneric drug
- teneric drug
- gwneric drug
- gsneric drug
- gdneric drug
- grneric drug
- g4neric drug
- g3neric drug
- geberic drug
- gemeric drug
- gejeric drug
- geheric drug
- genwric drug
- gensric drug
- gendric drug
- genrric drug
Etymology of GENERIC DRUG
The word "generic" is derived from the Latin word "genericus", meaning "of a kind". The term entered English in the late 17th century, having been borrowed from the French word "générique", which had a similar meaning. In the context of pharmaceuticals, the term "generic drug" was first used in the 1960s. It refers to a medication that contains the same active ingredients as a brand-name drug, but is usually produced and marketed under its chemical or generic name. The concept of generic drugs emerged to provide affordable and accessible alternatives to expensive brand-name medications.
Similar spelling word for GENERIC DRUG
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