What is a generic drug?

A generic drug is defined as a medication that contains the same active ingredients as a brand-name drug and is typically sold under its chemical name rather than a branded name. This is crucial because generic drugs are required to have the same pharmacological effects as their branded counterparts, ensuring that they are therapeutically equivalent. The production and labeling of generic drugs must adhere to the standards set by the FDA, ensuring their safety, efficacy, and quality.

Option A accurately captures the essence of what a generic drug is, highlighting its similarity to brand-name drugs concerning active ingredients. In contrast, the other options do not align with the accepted definition: the second option incorrectly suggests that generic drugs are made without FDA oversight, implying a lack of regulation, which is not the case. The third option misrepresents generic drugs by suggesting they have additional active ingredients, which is not true for generics as they must be identical in formulation to branded drugs. Lastly, the fourth option implies that generic drugs are only prescription medications, whereas many generics are available over-the-counter just like their brand-name equivalents.