How to distinguish original from generic

Analogs or generics (substitutes / alternatives) of expensive branded drugs have long occupied their strong niche in the pharmaceutical market. However, in many areas of medicine, the attitude towards them is very biased.

In this article we will discuss many important questions regarding the generics market, but most importantly, we will determine how to distinguish the original from the generic.

What is a generic drug

It should be understood that before the release of a drug, a lot of research and testing takes place. A long process of adjustments and improvements is underway, positive properties and side effects are identified. Research costs money, so initially some truly progressive drugs were produced only by large pharmaceutical companies.

Next, the company receives a patent for a drug, which protects the manufacturer from unfair use and re-release by other companies. Patent duration may vary from country to country

Thanks to the patent, the manufacturer becomes a monopolist and sets fairly high prices for its products. This is justified by the high costs of production and research.

But as soon as the patent expires, generics begin to appear en masse on the market.

Generics (they are called very differently, for example, generics, generic drugs) are analogs of a drug that was previously patented. They are drugs that correspond to the original in biological, pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects. They are essentially generic drugs.

In simple terms, generics include the same active substance, have a similar effect, and are otherwise very similar to branded drugs. The basic difference is that they are not protected by a patent. This is the most important answer to the question of how to distinguish an original drug from a generic drug. The second has no patent.

Today, generics are also called medicines that have received the right to be released through compulsory licensing. This is done by changing some of the auxiliary components that make up generic drugs.

Thanks to certification, some generics have even begun to be released without waiting for the patent to expire.

But for the consumer, the basic difference between the generic and the original is in the monetary dimension. Generics are much cheaper. Low cost for their manufacturers is possible because they don't spend millions to develop their product. Usually they just use a ready-made formula that was created by a large pharmaceutical company.

This is how dozens of inexpensive but effective Indian generics appeared on the market for drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

According to statistics in the USA, after the generics enter the market, they occupy more than 80% of the market, while the original product has to be content with only 20%.

How to distinguish an original drug from a generic drug

You need to learn how to distinguish simply because there are generics, and they should be used if they have passed the appropriate licensing. And there are simply fakes not only of the originals, but of the same generics.

And since 2016, the numbers prove that the population is more and more willing to buy analogues of branded drugs. If we compare the average price tags, then the originals are sold in the region of 360 rubles

But still, how to determine the original from the generic? The answer is pretty trivial. The first and basic difference is the name of the tool. Take Viagra for example. No generic manufacturer can just take and start producing pills with the name, something like Viagra 2. Generics have different names, which are often consonant with the prototype. The second basic difference is price. In principle, the original (due to the above reasons) cannot be cheap

How to distinguish an original drug from a generic drug by description? The instructions for the original contain the word patent, but the description of the reproduced means of mentioning the patent right does not. In addition, you can study the composition and see that several other excipients are included in it. In this case, the active component remains the same.

The most obvious way to distinguish an original drug from a generic is by packaging. Ask who is the manufacturer of the original product on the Internet. For example, Levitra, a popular remedy for impotence, is produced by the German concern Bayer. Therefore, in the case of this branded product, Bayer AG will be repeatedly mentioned on the packaging. You will also see an indication of this company on the blisters. But if you see references to another company, such as Centurion, Sunrise Remedies and others, this indicates that this is a generic drug.

It is also important that the composition description contains the active ingredient you need. Buy Cialis, you need Tadalafil, Levitra Vardenafil, etc.But read the composition, not the designation on the packaging, as it can be misleading.

A few tips when choosing

It is impossible to say unequivocally that all generics are good. But if you buy medicines from trusted companies, you will get a good result. Today, India is the undisputed leader in the production of generic drugs for the treatment of sexual impotence in men. And the products of such companies as Ajanta, Cipla, Sunrise Remedies are distinguished by their quality at a low price policy.

• The generic company must obtain the appropriate certificate;

When you are faced with a choice between the original remedy and its generic, you should not unequivocally discard the second option. Most of the licensed reproduced copies are no worse than the original.

Experts note that in recent years generics have been well studied in terms of obtaining the desired effect and safety. But most importantly, you don't have to pay extra for them due to the company's investment in development and advertising. As a result, you can get the treatment you need while spending as little as possible.