More often than not the fundamental difference between generic and brand-name drugs, is cost. Generic drugs are safe, effective, FDA approved and less expensive.


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Generic vs. brand-name drugs: what’s the difference?

A generic drug is a medication with the exact same active ingredient as the brand-name drug, is taken the same way and offers the same effect. They do not need to contain the same inactive ingredients as the name-brand product and they can only be sold after the brand-name drug’s patent expires.2

There are only two main differences between generic and brand-name drugs: 

    The inactive ingredients, such as flavoring or preservatives, may change 

    Generics generally cost less than brand-name versions3



The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets standards for generic drugs to ensure they work the same way and have the same benefits and risks as their brand-name counterparts.4 

Generic drugs must match the brand-name versions in the following ways :

    They must have the same active ingredients 

    The dosage and strength must be identical 

    The overall quality, stability and safety must be the same    


A generic drug must be “bioequivalent” to the brand-name product, meaning they have to be chemically similar.5 A recent study that compared generics to brand-name drugs found on average only a 3.5% difference in absorption into the body.6

Yes. The FDA requires a generic drug manufacturer to follow the same standards as the brand-name manufacturing process. They are often made in the same facilities. The agency conducts on-site inspections each year to make sure the manufacturers are following the rules.7

Generic medications on average are 80–85% less expensive than brand-name medications.8 Humana members can see how much they may save by signing in to MyHumana and selecting "Drug Pricing Tool" at the bottom of the page under "Tools & Resources."

Always talk to your doctor about the best course of your treatment. Some medicines don't have a generic version but your doctor or pharmacist can see if there are alternatives you can try. You may find the savings are well worth the change.

Besides switching to a generic, here are a few ways you may be able to cut costs on your prescription: 

    Ask for a 90-day supply at your pharmacy: This may help lower your copay, which may add up to significant savings.

    Try mail-order: Check with your insurance policy to see if you have a lower copayment if you get your prescription through the mail.    

    Pick a pharmacy in your plan’s preferred network: Make sure the pharmacy you visit is in your plan’s network before getting a refill.    

    Sign up for a prescription discount program: These programs work directly with drug manufacturers to help keep costs down for patients.    

    Search for non-profit organizations to help lower costs: These organizations may help you find assistance programs to lower the cost of your prescription.    

    Pharmaceutical companies can help: Some companies sponsor assistance programs to help cover prescription costs for low-income individuals or people with disabilities. 


Navigating the price of prescription drugs can be challenging, but remember: 

    Never cut pills 

    Never skip a dose 

    Never stop taking your medication without speaking with your prescriber first



Below is a list of common brand-name medications and the generic version.

    “Prescription Drug Prices in the United States Are 2.56 Times Those in Other Countries,” RAND Corporation, last accessed July 7, 2023,  https://www.rand.org/news/press/2021/01/28.html.

    “Generic Drug FAQs,” Drugs.com, last accessed July 7, 2023,  https://www.drugs.com/article/generic_drugs.html.

    “Generic Drug Facts,” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, last accessed July 7, 2023,  https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts.

    “Generic Drug Facts.”

    “Do generic drugs compromise on quality?” Harvard Health Publishing, last accessed July 7, 2023,  https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-generic-drugs-compromise-on-quality.

    “Comparing generic and innovator drugs: a review of 12 years of bioequivalence data from the United States Food and Drug Administration,” National Library of Medicine, last accessed July 7, 2023,  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19776300/.

    “Generic Drug Facts.” 

    “2020 Report: Generic Drug and Biosimilars Access and Savings in the U.S.,” Association for Accessible Medicines, last accessed July 7, 2023,  https://accessiblemeds.org/2020-Access-Savings-Report.



Understanding your medications

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Brand product	Generic equivalent
Lipitor^®	atorvastatin
Zofran^®	ondansetron
Prilosec^®	omeprazole
Neurontin^®	gabapentin
Zocor^®	simvastatin
Crestor^®	rosuvastatin
Norvasc^®	amlodipine
Abilify^®	aripiprazole
Singulair^®	montelukast
Seroquel^®	quetiapine