Generic medicine

A copy of an original medication, containing the same active ingredient.

A generic contains the same active ingredient, in the same strength and dosage form, as the originator product whose patent has expired. To be approved it must demonstrate bioequivalence — that it delivers the active ingredient to the bloodstream at a rate and extent close enough to the original to be therapeutically interchangeable. Generics may differ in their inactive ingredients, colour, shape and name, which occasionally matters for people with excipient allergies, but the therapeutic content is the same.

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