Generic drugs have always been put to questions. So to get people rid of these unnecessary doubts, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has come to the forth to educate people about the actual facts related to generic drugs.

FDA says that all generic drug manufacturing facilities must meet the standards of good manufacturing practices. This organization based in US does not permit drugs to be made in substandard facilities. FDA conducts about 3,500 inspections a year to ensure standards are met.

When a brand-name drug's patent protection expires, generic versions of the drug can be approved for sale. The generic version works like the brand-name drug in dosage, strength, performance and use, and must meet the same quality and safety standards. All generic drugs must be reviewed and approved by FDA.

All generic drugs are put through a rigorous, multi-step review process that includes a review of scientific data on the generic drug's ingredients and performance. FDA also conducts periodic inspections of the manufacturing plant, and monitors drug quality even after the generic drug has been approved.

Generic drugs look different as certain inactive ingredients, such as color and flavor, may be different. These ingredients do not at all affect the performance, safety or efficacy of the generic drug. They have to look different because trademark laws in the U.S. do not allow a generic drug to look exactly like other drugs that are already available in the market.

It’s a fact that Brand-name firms are responsible for manufacturing approximately 50 percent of generic drugs. And as FDA makes it tough to become a generic drug in America, you can feel confident about taking your generic drugs.