Usually. However, when a generic drug is first approved and marketed, costs may remain high (although less than the brand name drug) for 6 months because the FDA will give the first generic manufacturer a “180-day exclusivity period”. The “180-day exclusivity” is assigned to the generic manufacturer who is the first to file an ANDA and has done the additional work to get the generic drug to market.

This exclusivity allows the company to be the first – and possibly only – generic on the market for 6 months. Generic manufacturers may charge higher prices during this time because there is little to no other generic competition. Generic companies state that exclusivity allows them to recoup expenses, related to being the first to bring a generic to market.

If more than one generic manufacturer files their ANDA at the FDA on the same day, these companies would share the 180-day exclusivity, which might lead to somewhat lower prices during the 180-day period due to competition, but possibly not as low as when several generics enter the market.