Eli5: what is the difference between a generic drug to the original drug, and why do some doctors will swear by the original drug?
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Difference, generally nothing as far as active ingredients are concerned. Drug patents last about 20 years I believe, which means that after that is when generics can start being made. If generics are available but doctors are still pushing the original it’s more about trusted quality over effectiveness. Even though today a lot of name brand products and generic products come from the same factory there’s still a difference in quality control and sometimes quality if they are from different manufacturers. Doctor’s do push certain drugs of they are paid for it but in this case they may push Excedrin for example because it’s from a trusted brand and it’s been around a while, over say buying Walmarts generic migraine medicine because of its recommended with their name, even if it’s the same ingredients they want to take every precaution in what they recommend.
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