Generic vs Brand Name Drugs: What Makes The Two Different In The Field Of Medicine?
Every time a new drug hits the market, the company that has found it or manufactured it invariably applies for the product's patency so that other companies cannot make duplicates of the original product. This patency may last for as long as 15 to 20 years and within this period, the company will manufacture and sell the particular drug under a specific brand name so as to recover the investment expenses and make a profit. Once the patency is expired, other manufacturers of companies get the license to produce the same drug with similar compositions. This is what results in the categorization of generic vs brand name drugs. For instance, Metformin is identified as the generic drug meant for diabetic patients, however, the brand name is identified as Glucophage. Similarly, Metoprolol is known as a generic drug used primarily for Hypertension, however, its brand name is Lopressor. These drugs are known by different names in different countries but their generic name tends to re...