A generic medication is a medication that is equivalent to a brand-name product in dose, strength, route of administration, quality, and intended use, but does not carry the brand name. Generic drugs are typically less expensive than the brand-name version. They are able to do this by using the same active ingredients and formula as the brand-name drug but can be sold at a lower cost because the manufacturers do not have the expenses of developing and marketing a new drug. Generic drugs undergo the same rigorous testing and quality control as brand-name drugs and are considered just as safe and effective. Generic drugs are usually available after the patent for the brand-name drug has expired, allowing other pharmaceutical companies to produce and sell the same medication under a different name.