Many of the generic drugs approved by the FDA are manufactured by companies that also
make brand-name drugs. Many more generic drugs will become available as brand-name drugs
lose their patent protection. More commonly, brand manufacturers are making generic drugs
when they lose brand patent protection to compete directly with other generic makers and their
branded product.
A generic drug is as safe and provides the same therapeutic effects as the brand-name product
for patients of all ages. As a group, generic drugs have no proven age-related side effects that
are different from brand-name drugs. Generics have been shown to be as safe as brand-name
drugs and work no differently in children or the elderly.
