What distinguishes a brand-name drug from a generic drug?

A brand-name drug is distinguished primarily by being marketed under a proprietary name, which is specific to the company that developed it. This name is trademarked and serves to identify the drug as being unique to that manufacturer. The brand-name drugs often undergo extensive research and development processes, including clinical trials, which lead to their brand identity in the marketplace.

Generic drugs, on the other hand, typically contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts and are usually marketed under their chemical or generic name, which is not proprietary. Generic formulations may enter the market after the patent for the brand-name drug expires, allowing multiple manufacturers to produce and sell the same medication, but under a different name.

The other choices mischaracterize the differences: brand-name drugs do not inherently have a lower price than generics, nor are they designed to be less regulated; in fact, they must meet the same regulatory standards set by authorities like the FDA. The idea that brand-name drugs are produced in larger quantities does not hold true, as production volumes can vary significantly depending on market demand and exclusivity agreements.