Not much… The main difference is that a generic drug is no longer protected by a patent so it can be sold by multiple manufacturers, which significantly reduces the price.
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Generic drugs are just as safe and effective because they are chemically identical to branded medication and the FDA requires scientific studies to show they work in the same way as the branded version before they can be released onto the market.
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Branded medication is no more powerful than generics, as the strength, means of administering and dosage form of a generic must be the same as its branded counterpart.