Word: Generic Drug
Definition: A generic drug is a medicine that is similar to a brand-name drug but is usually sold at a lower price. It becomes available after the original brand-name drug's patent has expired, which means the company that invented it no longer has exclusive rights to sell it. Before a generic drug can be sold, it must be approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States to ensure it is safe and effective.
Usage Instructions: - Use "generic drug" when talking about medications that are not branded but work the same way as their brand-name counterparts. - It’s commonly used in discussions about healthcare, pharmacy, and cost of medications.
Example Sentence: - "I always choose a generic drug for my allergy medicine because it is cheaper but works just as well as the brand-name version."
Advanced Usage: - In a healthcare context, you might hear discussions about the benefits of generic drugs in terms of accessibility and cost-saving for patients. - Example: "The introduction of generic drugs has significantly reduced healthcare costs for patients who need long-term medication."
Word Variants: - Generic (adjective): This can describe anything that is not specific or does not have a brand name. For example, "generic food products." - Generics (noun): Refers to multiple generic drugs.
Different Meaning: - The word "generic" can also refer to something that is general and not specific. For instance, "a generic term" means a term that can apply to many different things.
Synonyms: - Non-branded drug - Off-brand drug - Copycat drug
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "generic drug," but you might hear phrases like "go generic" meaning to choose a generic version instead of a brand-name one.
In summary, a generic drug is a less expensive version of a brand-name medicine that is approved for sale after the original drug's patent expires.