Generics Explained

Sandoz develops, produces and distributes effective and affordable generic medicines. Medicines that meet the requirements of the national and international regulatory authorities and its own quality criteria, which are among the strictest in the industry.

Generics make a real difference to the millions of people worldwide who now have access to quality medication at competitive prices.

But what exactly are generics? Why do they cost less? Are they as effective as brand name medicines? What is their place in the world? For answers to these questions and many more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.

Understanding Generics

When a pharmaceutical company develops a new medicine, it is patented and protected. This protection, which mainly grants the company in question exclusive selling rights, begins when the patent application is filed and remains in effect for 20 years. The number of years the company that holds the patent has exclusive selling rights depends on how quickly it manages to market the patented medicine. When the patent expires, manufacturers like Sandoz can market the active ingredient in the medicine and offer "generics".