GENERIC MEDICATION Meaning and
Definition
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Generic medication refers to a pharmaceutical drug that is manufactured and sold with the same active ingredients, dosage form, strength, and intended use as a brand-name medication. It is the non-branded version of a drug that has either expired or is still protected by patents. A generic medication may only be produced once the brand-name drug patent has expired, allowing other manufacturers to produce and distribute their own versions of the medication.
The active ingredient in a generic medication is typically identical or highly similar to that of the brand-name drug, ensuring similar therapeutic effects when consumed. However, the inactive ingredients such as fillers and binders may differ slightly between the generic and brand-name drugs.
Generic medications are often available at a lower cost compared to their brand-name counterparts because they require less investment in research and development, marketing, and clinical trials. The production cost of generics is generally lower as well, contributing to the affordability of these medications. Despite the lower cost, generic medications are subject to the same rigorous regulatory standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality as brand-name drugs.
Generic medications play a crucial role in providing affordable healthcare options to consumers, reducing healthcare costs, and increasing accessibility to essential treatments. They are widely used and prescribed by healthcare professionals, making them an integral part of the healthcare system.
Etymology of GENERIC MEDICATION
The word "generic" originates from the Latin word "genēricus", which means "of a kind" or "pertaining to a class or genus". It is derived from the Latin noun "genus", meaning "kind", "race", or "origin". In the context of medications, the term "generic" refers to pharmaceutical products that are not associated with a particular brand name, but rather are produced and marketed under the generic name of the active ingredient. The word "medication" is derived from the Latin term "medicamentum", which means "remedy" or "healing substance". Together, "generic medication" refers to a pharmaceutical drug that is not protected by a trademark and is available under its chemical name or nonproprietary name.
