This is the golden age of generic drugs. Some of the biggest-selling prescription drugs are going to lose patent protection between now and 2011 and due to this factor, generic drugs will be able to occupy a large part of the drug market. If you're not aware of generic drugs then let me explain it to you. Generic drugs are a cheaper alternative for branded drugs. Quality, efficacy and dosage wise they're at par with the brand name drugs. Like all prescription drugs, the generic drugs are also regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

However, in case of generic drugmakers, they are not required to reproduce the years of research and clinical trials that goes into developing the original or patented version. This is the main reason behind the lesser price tag of generics. They are certainly a cost-effective alternative to brand-name drugs, and when they are therapeutically appropriate, they should be part of the medication regiment.

According to the FDA norms, all drugs should be safe and effective. Since generics use the same active ingredients and are shown to work the same way in the body, they have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts. But always remember that buying a generic medicine is not like shopping for a pair of trousers at a discounted rate. Generics come at a cheaper price but provide equal benefits.

One more thing you need to know about generics is that not all of them work the same way as their brand-name counterparts. The FDA grades generics for bio-equivalence, and a small proportion (about 4 percent) are rated as non-therapeutically equivalent, and a handful of those are considered nonequivalent. So, you are required to take care of all these factors while buying a generic drug.

Generic drugs meant for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) are known as ED generic pills. This genre of drugs have done wonders in revamping the sexual life of its users. The best part about ED generic pills is that; they provide you relief from ED at a much cheaper rate. So, opt for generic drugs for saving your money as well as health.