HOME / HEALTH AND ADVICE / Generic vs Branded Medications

Generic vs Branded Medications

Written by: Daniel Higham - Superintendent Pharmacist

Last reviewed: 14th October 2024

When you’re prescribed a medication or when you are looking to buy medicine, you might notice there are branded and generic versions of the same medication. They may have different names and prices, but what’s the real difference between them if there is one? This article will discuss what branded and generic medicines are and if there are any differences between them, as well as when it is important to stick to a certain brand of medicine.

What Are Generic and Branded Medications?

In the case of prescription medicines, branded medications are usually the original versions of drugs developed by pharmaceutical companies. These companies hold patents that allow them exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the drug for a certain period (typically around 20 years). Once the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce generic versions of the same medication. In branded over-the-counter medication the brand may simply be targetted at a specific illness or condition that the medicine can treat e.g. in the case of ibuprofen certain brands advertise that they can help with period pains and are up to 10 times the price of the generic.

Generic medications contain the same active ingredients, work in the same way, and offer the same clinical benefits as branded drugs. For prescription medicines they are often significantly cheaper for the NHS to use because the generic manufacturer doesn’t have to invest in developing and marketing the drug like the original manufacturer did. In terms of over-the-counter the companies typically do not pay for marketing or fancy boxes and so offer the same medication at a much lower price. They are also usually placed lower on the shelf, while brands take up the middle shelves which are at eye level.

Are Generics as Effective as Branded Medications?

Yes, generic medications are just as effective as their branded counterparts. They must meet strict regulatory standards set by the MHRA to ensure they provide the same quality, safety, and efficacy as the branded version. Generics are chemically identical in terms of the active ingredient, dosage, strength, and how they are administered.

However, there can be slight differences in inactive ingredients, such as fillers, dyes, or preservatives. For most people, these differences do not affect the medication’s effectiveness, but for some, particularly those with allergies or sensitivities, it may make a difference.

Why Are Generics Cheaper?

The price difference between branded and generic drugs mainly stems from the cost of development. Pharmaceutical companies that develop new medications invest significant time and money into research, development, and marketing. When the patent for a branded drug expires, generic manufacturers can produce the drug without incurring these costs, allowing them to offer it at a much lower price.

This is why a generic medication can be as much as 80-90% cheaper than its branded counterpart.

When Are Branded Medications Necessary?

While generics are a great, cost-effective option for most people, there are certain situations where a branded medication may be preferred or required. One of the most common examples is in the treatment of epilepsy.

Epilepsy medications: For some epilepsy patients, switching between branded and generic medications can lead to changes in how the drug is absorbed in the body. Even small differences in how a medication releases its active ingredient can lead to breakthrough seizures or side effects. Because of this, it is recommend sticking to the branded version for consistency in treatment. These medications for epilepsy are put into three categories:

Category 1:Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone. For these drugs it is important you stick to the same brand.
Category 2:Clobazam, clonazepam, eslicarbazepine acetate, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, rufinamide, topiramate, valproate, zonisamide. For these drugs you may switch brands depending on seizure frequency, treatment history, and potential implications of having a breakthrough seizure.
Category 3:Brivaracetam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, tiagabine, vigabatrin. For these drugs you can switch brands without experiencing a negative effect. However it is improtant to note that differences in packaging, appearance and taste can lead to anxiety with taking the medicine and potentially cause reduced adherence and dosing errors.

Are Generics Safe?

Yes, generics are safe. They undergo rigorous testing and must meet the same high standards of safety and efficacy as branded drugs. Regulatory agencies like the FDA or MHRA ensure that generic medications are bioequivalent to their branded counterparts. This means the generic version works the same way in the body as the branded one.

It’s important to note that before a generic drug is approved, it must demonstrate:

Same active ingredients as the branded drug
Same strength, dosage form, and route of administration
Same conditions of use
Same labeling, with only slight differences allowed, such as packaging or trademark names

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Branded Medications

When it comes to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, branded options are often marketed more heavily and are easily recognisable by name. Products like Nurofen (ibuprofen) or Panadol (paracetamol) are well-known, but they often come with a higher price tag compared to their generic counterparts due to the assocaited marketing campaigns and fancy packaging costs that come with these brands.

The main difference here is branding and packaging—the active ingredients are the same in both the branded and generic versions. For instance, the generic ibuprofen available in most pharmacies works just as effectively as Nurofen but costs significantly less. Similarly, generic paracetamol provides the same pain-relieving benefits as Panadol at a fraction of the cost. Brands also pay for packaging that suggest they are better at targetting certain confitions such as "period pain tablets" or "headache tablets" and then charge more for them, taking advantage of people's lack of knowledge. Again these have the same medication in them as their generic version, you just have to look at the active ingredient on the branded box and find the generic equivalent.

For most people, choosing a generic OTC medication can save money without sacrificing quality or effectiveness. However, if you have allergies or sensitivities to certain inactive ingredients (like dyes or fillers), it’s important to check the label, as the formulation can differ slightly between branded and generic versions.

One way to ensure that a generic medication is safe and regulated is by looking at the Product Licence (PL) number on the packaging. Every medication sold in the UK, whether branded or generic, has a unique PL number issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This number confirms that the medication has been approved for sale and meets strict safety, quality, and efficacy standards.
This PL number can even be the same on some branded and generic medicines which means they are the exact same drug inside both packets, for this reason we always suggest checking the PL number if you are in doubt over if a generic medication is worth buying.

What About Brand Loyalty?

Some patients feel more comfortable sticking with the brand name medication they’ve been prescribed. This can be due to personal experience, where they feel the branded version works better for them, or simply peace of mind. There is also a placebo effect to consider. Paying more for the medication actually causes it to work better in some people as they consider it a "better" medication than the cheaper generic counterpart as it costs more.

In most cases, you won’t notice any difference when switching from a branded to a generic drug. But if you do feel like the generic isn’t working as well, or you’re experiencing new side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist. It may be due to a specific formulation issue, and they can help determine the best course of action.

When Should You Consider Generic Medications?

If you’re taking a medication for a condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, pain relief, or cholesterol management, generic versions will usually be given as they cost a lot less than the branded and save the NHS money. These medications work just as well as branded drugs and can save you money without compromising on quality.

Your pharmacist is a great resource to help you decide whether a generic option is available and suitable for your prescription.

Conclusion: Generic or Branded—Which Should You Choose?

In most cases, generic medications are an effective and affordable alternative to branded drugs. They offer the same benefits at a fraction of the price, making them a preferred choice for millions of people. However, for certain conditions like epilepsy, sticking to a branded version may be the safer option.

If you are buying medication, branded is never usually worth it. However this comes down to personal choice and some people feel that a brand works better for them.