 [ Symptoms ] i developed breathing difficulties approx 2 years ago which have worsened daily since [ Disease ] yes for many reasons today almost half of all prescriptions in the united states are filled with generic drugs they are less expensive and often require a lower co pay if you have insurance which could mean big cost savings for you generic drug manufacturers do not have the initial investment costs associated with development of a new drug original manufacturers are given a patent for their drug to protect their investment including research development and marketing costs a generic drug is not available until that patent expires about 20 years after the patent is received once a generic version is available competition helps keep costs down even more what about effectiveness for the most part they are just as good as brand name drugs generics have the same active ingredients in fact the food and drug administration requires that generics be as strong as brand name drugs and work just as quickly they also carry the same risk of side effects this means that even though the shape and size of a generic pill may differ from the brand name pill you are used to it should work the same in the body