Generic versus Branded Drugs: A Comparative Study: A Review

This study is an attempt to explore the quality of generic versus branded drugs. This study has once again dispelled the myth that “only the costly drugs are more effective” and highlights the need of all stakeholders to promote the use of generic drugs in India as well as in other countries. we concluded that the branded products and their counterparts, branded generic products, conformed to the statutory quality standards laid down under the Indian laws [Drugs and cosmetics act, 1940 and rules, 1945]. In addition, no difference in their quality was noted, irrespective of the fact that they carry different price tag and the manufacturing companies adopt different marketing strategies. This study further revealed that the price tag does not have any bearing on the quality of products. Thus, the general belief that costly branded product is of a better quality does not sound true for this particular medicine. Hence, to say that cheaper drug product is cheaper in quality and vice versa appears to be a misconception.