What is the difference between a brand name drug and a generic drug?

• A. Brand names are innovator drugs, while generics contain identical active ingredients and meet bioequivalence standards.
• B. Brand names are always cheaper than generics.
• C. Generics must have different active ingredients but same effect.
• D. Brand names are not subject to testing for quality.

Answer: (A)

Brand-name drugs are the original products developed by the innovator company. Generics are copies that use the same active ingredient, the same strength and dosage form, and they must demonstrate bioequivalence to the brand-name reference product. Bioequivalence means the generic releases the active ingredient into the body at essentially the same rate and extent, providing the same therapeutic effect. In practice, generics can differ in inactive ingredients or appearance, but they must be pharmaceutical and therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name drug. So the best answer captures that brand names are innovator products, while generics contain identical active ingredients and meet bioequivalence standards.