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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Regulation and Medication Safety

Generic drug

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

/dʒəˈnɛrɪk ˈdrʌɡ/nounCore term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, generic drug means: A medicine with the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect as an original branded medicine, usually sold after the original's patent has expired.

In Turkish: jenerik ilaç, eşdeğer ilaç

How it is used

Often just called a generic ('switch to the generic'). A generic must be shown to be bioequivalent to the original, called the reference or originator product. Generics are usually cheaper, and many health systems encourage generic prescribing. Excipients, colour and shape may differ, which can confuse patients.

Example sentences

  1. The generic drug works in the same way; it just looks different and costs less.

  2. Once the patent expired, several generic drugs came onto the market.

Common collocations

  • generic version
  • generic prescribing
  • switch to a generic
  • generic name
  • brand nameThe name a company gives to its product, written with a capital letter, as opposed to the generic name of the active ingredient that everyone uses.
  • bioequivalenceThe situation in which two products containing the same drug release it into the blood at the same rate and to the same extent, so they can be expected to work in the same way.
  • active ingredientThe substance in a medicine that produces its therapeutic effect, as opposed to the other ingredients that give the product its shape, taste or stability.
  • marketing authorisationThe official permission from a medicines regulator that allows a company to sell a medicine for specific uses, doses and patient groups.

More terms: Regulation and Medication Safety

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.