Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8441

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Bass MA.
Look alikes: methinks the brand name companies protest too much
Pharmaceutical Executive 1984 Jan; 4:42-43

Abstract:

The legality of manufacturing generic drugs with the same color, size, and shape as their brand name equivalents is discussed. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of generic manufacturers supports the functionality of color with respect to prescription drugs. To the customer, the color, size, and shape of a product identifies the drug, not the manufacturer. Arguments against the contention of brand name manufacturers that competitors produce generic look alikes for no other purpose than to deceive patients are presented.