jäljitelmälääke

Jäljitelmälääke is the Finnish term for a generic drug. A generic drug is a pharmaceutical medication that is equivalent to a brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use. The key difference between a brand-name drug and its generic counterpart is that the generic version is not protected by the original manufacturer's patent.

When a patent on a brand-name drug expires, other pharmaceutical companies can manufacture and market their own versions of the drug. These versions are called generics. They must undergo rigorous testing and approval processes by regulatory agencies, such as the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea), to ensure they meet the same high standards as the original brand-name drug.

The active ingredient in a generic drug is chemically identical to that in the brand-name drug. While the inactive ingredients, such as fillers, binders, or dyes, may differ, these differences do not affect the drug's safety, efficacy, or how it works in the body. Generic drugs are typically much less expensive than their brand-name equivalents because the manufacturers do not have to recoup the substantial research and development costs incurred by the original innovator company. This cost-effectiveness makes generic drugs an important part of healthcare systems, increasing access to necessary medications for patients.