Adoption of Generic Medicines Nearly Doubled, PharmEasy Report Finds

Adoption of branded substitutes has grown rapidly in recent years, according to a PharmEasy survey on branded vs. generic medicines. The data indicates that the use of branded substitutes has nearly doubled, rising from 22% in 2024 to 40% in 2025.

Branded substitutes are medicines that contain the same active ingredients and provide similar clinical benefits as other branded medicines of identical composition, while being sold at a lower price. Because manufacturers do not need to repeat the extensive research and clinical trials conducted for the original medicine, these substitutes can be offered more affordably.

The report notes that the highest substitution rates were seen in medicines used for diabetes, blood pressure, and antibiotics. Users who switched to these substitutes reported savings of up to 60% on their medicine expenses. Importantly, survey results show that no respondents reported branded substitutes to be less effective than branded medicines with the same composition.

These trends are further validated by a user survey. 86% of respondents said they experienced visible savings, and 89% indicated they would recommend branded substitutes to others. Importantly, no respondents reported substitutes to be less effective than branded medicines.

The survey also highlights sustained usage, with 71% of users stating they have been using branded substitutes for more than a year, signaling increasing confidence among consumers.

The findings also suggest that lower medicine costs can encourage consistent use of medication, as people are less likely to skip doses or delay refills when treatment becomes more affordable.