IS AN AUTHORIZED GENERIC DRUG THE SAME THING AS A GENERIC DRUG? 

No. The term “Authorized Generic” drug is most commonly used to describe an approved brand name drug that is marketed without the brand name on its label. Other than the fact that it does not have the brand name on its label, it is the exact same drug product as the branded product. An Authorized Generic may be marketed by the brand name drug company, or another company with the brand company’s permission. In some cases, even though it is the same as the brand name product, a company may choose to sell the Authorized Generic at a lower cost than the brand name drug.