When a new medicine is developed, the company responsible for making the medicine releases it under a branded name. That name will have a patent attached to it for a set amount of time.

A patent is a legal agreement granted to an organisation to invent a product without the risk of competitors copying it.¹ When the patent expires, other companies can make a generic version of the medicine. This means that it has the same active ingredient as the original product but a generic name. The brand name cannot be used to launch a new product.^2,3

Generic medicines are the same, or very similar to, branded medications. The main difference is the name and the cost, though there may be other differences like the shape, taste, or colour of the product. Sometimes, different inactive ingredients are used.⁴

Generic medicines contain the same active ingredient as branded medicines and have the same effect. But they can be made and sold much cheaper than branded products.²

Generic medicines are generally sold under the name of the active ingredient that they contain.

When producing a new medicine, companies have to research the drug’s safety, viability (ability to work) and efficacy (how well it works) before it is submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to be approved for public use. The initial research can take a company 10 to 15 years to complete.^4,5

Once the MHRA approves the drug, it can be sold to medical providers like the NHS. ⁴

Once the patent on the medication has run out and other companies are free to produce it under a generic name, they don’t have to go through the rigorous research and tests that the original medicine producer would have. This means they can sell it at a lower, more competitive price.⁴

This can help the NHS save money as they can access essential medicines at lower prices without compromising quality. On average, using generic medication has saved the NHS £16.5 billion. This means that more medicines are available to treat a diverse range of medical conditions.⁴

A popular example of a branded and generic medicine with the same function is Viagra and sildenafil. Viagra is a well-known type of erectile dysfunction medication. It is produced by a company called Pfizer. The patent for the drug expired in 2013.⁶ This allowed other drug companies to make erectile dysfunction drugs using the same active ingredient, sildenafil.

There are very few differences between branded and generic medication.

Occasionally, you may notice that a branded medicine looks different from the generic equivalent. This can be due to companies deciding to:

• Coat the tablet so it has a longer shelf life
• Change the colour, size, shape and taste of the drug so it is different from the branded medicine.³

Another difference you may spot is the name. Generic medicines are named after the active ingredient they contain. The active ingredient is the product that makes the medicine work as intended.

If you notice the name of your prescription keeps changing, it could be because your prescriber uses different suppliers. This means that you may receive a branded medicine on some occasions and a generic on others. But any medication you are prescribed will include the active ingredients designed to treat your symptoms.⁷

Generics contain the same active ingredients as branded medication and are equally effective.

If you have any concerns or doubts, you can talk to either your local pharmacist or your GP. They can answer any questions you may have.

The MHRA is the regulating body for medicines in the UK. Although no medicine is completely risk free, the MHRA holds all drug companies to the highest quality, safety and efficacy standards. Medicines cannot be made available to the public before they have been approved by the MHRA.⁴

Each drug that is developed must go through thorough clinical trials to prove it works and is safe for human use. Once the drug company has conducted clinical trials, they can submit an application to the MHRA for their medicine. It will be evaluated to make sure it meets their requirements for safety, efficacy and quality. If it passes, the medicine will then be licensed for use. The MHRA will continue to monitor patient safety after the drug is released.⁹

You can access some generic medicines that don’t require a prescription like paracetamol and cough and cold medications in a pharmacy or supermarket.

If you are uncertain about the medicines you should be using to treat the symptoms of a condition, you should speak to your pharmacist or GP before buying. They can help you identify the right medications for your needs and advise you on how long they should be used.