A Generic Medicine is a medicinal product with the same active substance, pharmaceutical form and dosage and with the same therapeutic indication as the original, branded medicine, which served as a reference. These medicines, since they do not include costs related to the patent, are presented to you at a lower cost, which, in Portugal, is situated within a range of 20-35% (www.infarmed.pt) lower than the price of the reference medicinal product.

Generic medicines are identified with the symbol “MG” inserted on the external pack of the medicinal product.

These are medicinal products whose active substances have been on the market for several years and, for that reason, have a added guarantee of effectiveness and allow a better knowledge of the respective safety profile.
They present the same safety and efficacy as the reference medicinal product, that are demonstrated by bioequivalence and bioavailability studies (as described in Decree-Law no. 176/2006, of 30 August).
They are at least 20 to 35% cheaper than the reference medicinal product, with the same pharmaceutical form and the same dosage, thus presenting an economic advantage.
In summary, Generic Medicinal Products have the same quality, efficacy and safety, at a lower price as the original medicinal product.