Generic drug:The term "generic" has several meanings as regards drugs:
- The chemical name of a drug.
- A term referring to the chemical化妆of a drug rather than to the advertised brand name under which the drug is sold.
- A term referring to any drug marketed under its chemical name without advertising.
"Diazepam" is an example of the chemical (generic) name of asedative. It is marketed by some companies under its generic name and by other companies under brand names such asValiumor Vazepam.
Generic drugs marketed without brand names are generally less expensive than brand-name drugs, even though they are chemically identical to brand-name drugs and meet the same standards of theFDA(USFood and Drug Administration) for safety, purity and effectiveness. Generic drugs can be legally producedinthe US if apatenthas expired, or for drugs which have never been patented. The expiration of a patent removes the monopoly of the patent holder on drug sales licensing.
