My pharmacist says generic drugs are cheaper because they aren’t tested for safety and efficacy. Is that true? —V.B., Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico

Yes—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t tested. Generics contain exactly the same active chemical ingredients as equivalent brand-name drugs, so they’re considered just as safe and effective. Since a brand-name drug has already undergone costly clinical trials to test for safety and effectiveness before being approved, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require a generic equivalent to undergo the same tests. It does, however, require it to be tested for chemical identity, purity, potency, and absorbability. Generics also cost less because companies avoid the expenses associated with discovering new drugs, and they aren’t heavily advertised.