Generic drugs are essentially copies of brand-name drugs, with the same active ingredients, strength, dosage form, and intended use. They are often less expensive than brand-name drugs and are required to be approved by regulatory agencies before they can be sold. Brand-name drugs are created and sold by pharmaceutical companies who have a patent on the drug, which allows them to exclusively manufacture and sell the drug for a certain period of time. Once the patent expires, other companies can produce generic versions of the drug. While both generic and brand-name drugs must meet the same quality standards, there may be some slight differences in the inactive ingredients and manufacturing process, which may cause differences in how the drug is absorbed or metabolized in the body. In general, the choice between a generic or brand-name medication is often based on factors such as cost, availability, and personal preference.