What distinguishes a generic medication from a brand-name medication?

A generic medication is defined as a chemical copy of a brand-name drug. It contains the same active ingredients, is considered bioequivalent, and functions in the same way as the original brand-name medication. The key distinction here is that generic medications do not carry the trademark protections that brand-name medications do, meaning they are not exclusive to one manufacturer and can be produced by multiple companies once the original patent expires.

The emphasis on being a "chemical copy" highlights the importance of the active ingredients and their efficacy, which are the same in both types of medications. Generic medications are often sold at lower prices, contributing to accessibility while maintaining the same therapeutic effects.

This understanding clears up why the other options do not reflect the true nature of generic medications. Unique formulations or trademarks do not accurately depict generics, and the claim about side effects lacks a reliable correlation since any variations in side effects would be more closely linked to individual patient responses rather than the classification as generic or brand-name.