What are generic medicines?

A brand-name medicine is the original medicine developed by a pharmaceutical company. When a company invents a new medicine, the company gives it a brand name that is often memorable. This is commonly referred to as the original brand of a medicine. 

Generic medicines work in the same way as the original medicines. They have the same active ingredient as the original brand. However, they go by different names.

A company can only make a generic version of a medicine once the patent expires on the original medicine. A patent protects an invention from being copied.

Many medicines with the same active ingredient are available as different brands. This may include an original brand and sometimes several generic brands.
Different types of medicines can have generic brands. This includes:

• capsules
• creams
• eye drops
• inhalers
• liquids
• patches
• tablets

Biosimilar medicines are generic medicines that are very similar to the original brand of a biological medicine. A biological medicine contains substances made with living cells or organisms that have been genetically modified. They work like proteins in your body.

What are active ingredients?

An active ingredient is the chemical or substance that makes the medicine work.

What else do generic medicines contain?

Generic medicines can have different fillers and colours from the original brand. However, all the ingredients must meet the same quality and safety standards.

Generic medicines may be different from the brand-name version in their:

• colour
• shape
• size
• taste
• packaging

This is often due to trademark regulations.

Generic medicines work in the same way as brand-name medicines. They contain the same amount of active ingredient that acts in the same way.

Generic medicines can only be sold in Australia if they meet the same strict standards as the original brand. This covers:

• quality
• safety
• effectiveness

These are checked by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Manufacturers of generic medicines also need to show the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that their version of a medicine is bioequivalent (behaves the same way in your body). Generics may be made with different excipients (filler ingredients other than the active drug) but the medicine effects are the same as the original brand.

This means medicines have much greater scrutiny and regulation than ‘generic’ or home brand supermarket products. All fillers and colours used must also be approved by the TGA.

Generic medicines nearly always cost less than brand-name medicines. This is because the manufacturers have not spent money on the medicine's discovery, development and marketing. In a few cases the original brand and generic version will cost the same — you can ask your pharmacist to check if there is a brand price premium for your medicine.

Generic medicines must have the same active ingredient as the original medicine. They must also deliver the same amount of active ingredient in the same way as the original brand.

It’s usually your choice whether to buy a brand-name medicine or a generic version, if one is available. Sometimes your doctor will prescribe a specific brand.

Here are some things to consider:

• A generic medicine may be cheaper than the original brand.
• You may want to stick with a brand to avoid confusion, especially if you take many different medicines.
• If you have allergies, you should check whether a generic medicine has ingredients that you are allergic to — such as gluten or lactose.
• Your doctor may recommend you take the original brand for some medicines.

It’s your choice whether to ask. You can talk with your doctor about your preferences for a generic or original brand medicine.

You can also ask your pharmacist if they have a more affordable brand of the same medicine. 

There may be times when you can’t switch between brands. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Not all medicines have a generic version available. 

Active ingredient prescribing is when the active ingredient rather than the brand name is written on a prescription. It supports the safe prescribing, dispensing and use of medicines.

Under this initiative, Australian health professionals must write the active ingredient on the prescription.

Active ingredient prescribing makes it easier for you to identify medicines that have the same ingredient.

This will help you to avoid:

• accidental double-dosing
• taking a medicine that you're allergic to
• taking medicines that interact with another medicine

Active ingredient prescribing also helps you to talk about generic medicines with your doctor. This may reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

If you have any questions about generic medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can read the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Facts and fallacies (Opens in new tab) about generic medicines. 

Search for your medicine (Opens in new tab) at the Australian Commission Safety and Quality in Health Care (Opens in new tab) website.