Generic vs Brand Medicines in Pakistan: Same Salt, Different Price

Walk into any pharmacy in Pakistan and ask for a common medicine, and you may be offered several brands at very different prices. A strip of one painkiller might cost three times more than another, even though both contain the same active ingredient. So are you paying for better medicine, or just for a name?

This guide explains what generic and branded medicines are, why prices differ, and how to compare options safely.

What is a generic name?

Every medicine has an active ingredient, also called the salt or generic name. For example, Panadol and many other brands contain paracetamol. Augmentin and several other brands contain amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. The brand name is chosen by the company that makes and sells it.

In Pakistan, almost every medicine is sold under a brand name, but many companies make products with the same generic. The original brand is often called the innovator brand, and later versions are sometimes called generics or local brands.

Is a cheaper brand as good as an expensive one?

Medicines registered with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) must contain the stated active ingredient in the stated strength and meet quality standards. In principle, two registered brands of the same generic, strength and form should work in the same way.

Differences can exist in:

• Inactive ingredients such as fillers, colours and flavours, which rarely matter but can affect people with specific allergies or intolerances.
• Release technology, for example extended-release or enteric-coated tablets, which must match exactly if your doctor prescribed a particular form.
• Manufacturing standards and supply chain. Buying from a trusted source protects you from counterfeit or poorly stored medicines.

When you should not switch without advice

For most everyday medicines, switching between registered brands is fine. However, ask your doctor before switching if you take medicines where small differences in blood levels matter, such as:

• Anti-epileptic medicines, such as carbamazepine and sodium valproate
• Thyroid hormone (thyroxine)
• Blood thinners such as warfarin
• Transplant medicines such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus
• Some heart rhythm medicines

Why do prices vary so much?

• Research and development: the innovator company recovers the cost of developing the medicine.
• Imported versus local: imported brands carry higher costs for shipping, duties and currency exchange.
• Marketing and distribution: promotion to doctors and pharmacies adds to the price.
• Pack size: a pack of 30 tablets is not the same value as a pack of 10, so compare price per tablet.

How to compare medicines on Khasmart

Khasmart has a page for each generic medicine. Each page explains what the ingredient is used for, its common side effects and precautions, and lists the brands available that contain it. For example, you can see all the brands of sevelamer or ticagrelor side by side.

1. Find the generic name on your prescription or the medicine box.
2. Open the generic page and look at the brands listed.
3. Match the strength and the form (tablet, syrup, injection, cream) exactly.
4. Compare price per tablet or per ml, not just the pack price.
5. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before switching a prescribed brand.

Tips to save money safely

• Ask your doctor to write the generic name as well as the brand.
• Do not split or crush tablets unless the leaflet or pharmacist says it is safe.
• Keep using the same brand for long-term medicines once you find one that works, so you avoid confusion.
• Buy from licensed pharmacies to avoid counterfeit products.

Frequently asked questions

Do cheaper brands have more side effects?

Not usually. Side effects come mainly from the active ingredient, which is the same. Rarely, a person reacts to an inactive ingredient in one brand.

Can a pharmacist change my brand?

A pharmacist can suggest an equivalent brand, but for prescription medicines you should agree it with your doctor, especially for the sensitive medicines listed above.

What is the difference between a salt and a generic?

In Pakistan, people often use “salt” to mean the generic active ingredient. Strictly, a salt is a chemical form of the drug, such as metformin hydrochloride, but for comparing brands the meaning is the same.

This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist.