Here are same really simple and important things that you need to know before you start studying pharmaceutical company :
ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENT (API) is the basic drug which has the desires medicinal properties. It is also called BULK DRUG.
An API is formed after a long and complex chain of chemical reaction. There are certain stages in this reaction which produces a stable compound. Many API manufacturer outsource the process of preparation of these stable compounds. These compounds that eventually help form the API are called INTERMEDIATES. Remember that Intermediates are not the same as raw materials used.
The API is not directly consumed by us. It is converted into a consumable form known as FINISHED DOSAGE/ FORMULATIONS. It contains API and EXCIPIENT(substance of the table or liquid the API is suspended in and is generally medically inert).
PATENTED/ BRANDED DRUGS are those drugs on which certain companies have already taken a patent. The person who gets he patent enjoys certain exclusivity. This is explained in detail in other articles.
GENERIC DRUGS are those drugs whose patents have expired and now anyone can manufacture and sell it in the market. So now because anyone can produce it, the supply of this drug increase and as a result, the prices fall drastically.
Kashvi Gandhi 