Why are generic drugs cheap?
Brand drugs need a lot of research to get established. They even need to indulge in advertising and publicity to promote the drug. In the process of research, development, advertising and promotion, the brand drug manufacturers invest a lot of money. This increases the selling price of the product up to a huge percentage. But generic drugs put this burden off the consumers by doing away with all the developmental and promotional activities. Therefore they are able to offer a price that is 70%-90% lower than the price of the brand drug.

Why do generic drugs look different from their respective brand names?
Generic drugs come in a look slightly different from branded drugs. It’s because as you know the earlier is the replica of the later, and FDA doesn’t allow a replica to remain a look alike of the brand version, so that no confusion will exist. Therefore there is a difference in the structure and color of the both. No need to mention that structure and color aren’t the criteria to judge the efficacy of a drug. It’s the presence of the active ingredient which is the same in both.

Why do people underestimate generic drugs? (like generic viagra, kamagra, caverta etc)
People normally underestimate the credibility of a generic drug. It’s because they measure products with their price. The popular consideration is that ‘the more the price is the better the quality is.’ But it’s not the same with each and every product. One can also produce a same product with the same quality investing a much lower price and sell it without going for advertisement and promotions.

What about the myths?
Myth says, “Generic drugs are made by less reliable manufacturers, therefore these drugs are cheaper than branded drugs and Generic drugs are not as safe as brand-name drugs.” But the fact is that many of the generic drugs approved and manufactured by companies that also make brand name drugs. The manufacturing process of all the drugs is strictly regulated and the same standards are met by all manufacturers. Since generic drugs use the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts and work the same way in the body, generic drugs are as safe and effective as their brand-name equivalents.