Branded generics are generic drugs that have been given a proprietary market name. They may be marketed similarly to how branded drugs are.
Ordinary generic drugs are usually known by their chemical name. Branded drugs attach proprietary names to generic drug molecules.
Branded generics are given names to drive recognition and promote consumer loyalty. For example, Postinor 2 is a branded generic emergency contraceptive pill. It goes by Postinor 2 rather than its generic name (Levonorgestrel) to increase the likelihood of patients requesting it by name.
Branded generics can be developed either by a generic drug firm or by the original manufacturer and can be marketed after the patent expiry of the original drug. They are also known as value added generics and these can be either novel dosage form of an off patent drug developed by a different manufacturer or a copied molecule of an off patent drug.
Some branded generics are specially made as novel dosage forms of off-patent drugs, filling in a dosage gap while offering consumers a name that is likely easier to remember than the true generic name.
Novel dosage forms including pre-filled syringes, cartridge/pen systems, trans dermal patches, sub-lingual administration, and controlled release products are becoming available across different therapeutic targets. novel dosage forms will make the medicines more effective and appealing by adding pharmaceutical ingredients that dissolve, suspend, thicken, dilute, emulsify, stabilize, or preserve them. Novel dosage forms focus mostly on patient safety and enhancing the benefits of drugs.
Branded generics go through the same FDA approval process as other generics after branded drug patents expire.
Authorized generics, however, are created by makers of branded drugs, under the same NDA (New Drug Approval) authorization as the original branded drug, and they may be sold before drug patents expire.
| Branded Generic | Authorized Generic | Unbranded Generic | |
| FDA Approval Process | ANDA | Original drug NDA | ANDA |
| Relation to Patent Expiration | Sold after branded drug patent expiration | Can be sold before drug patent expiration | Sold after branded drug patent expiration |
| Cost | Typically more than ordinary generic, less than branded drug | Typically more than ordinary generic, less than branded drug | Typically cheaper than branded or authorized generics |
These branded generics cost less as compared to brand- name drugs but are expensive than unbranded generics.
Pros
1. They are less expensive than brand name drugs and are sold as alternatives to brand name drugs.
2. There are many medications which come in combinations and it becomes very difficult to remember their generic names, so they are given a brand name which can be easily remembered.
3. They are generic drugs with brand names which attracts many consumers who are dependent on branded drugs only.
4. They provide quality assurance from well-known companies like Sandoz by Novartis, torrent etc.
Cons
There are some branded generics which have to be obtained from alternative suppliers, since they may not be available from key sources.
If a drug is prescribed by a brand name then it becomes difficult to get that specific brand of the drug since many pharmacies don’t stock all the branded generics.
