Pharmacist Preferred Brand

What is a generic medicine?

A generic medicine is an alternative brand of an original brand name medicine. Both the generic and the original brand contain the same ‘active ingredient’, the chemical which makes the medicine work. Generic medicines are also required to have the same dosage and effectiveness as the original brand.

Are generic prescription medicines effective?

A generic prescription medicine works in the same way as the existing medicine. What matters is the active ingredient, which is the same in the generic brands and the existing brand. All medicines will have the same potential health benefits, and the same potential side effects. Some active ingredients are only effective for some patients and this will be the case whether you use the original or a generic medicine.

All brands of the same medicine, regardless of price, have the same active ingredient and have been authorised for supply in Australia.

Choosing a generic medicine helps to keep the PBS sustainable today and into the future, freeing up funds that help the Government to fund new & expensive medicines in the future.