A Brand Name Drug is a medication that is marketed under a specific name given by the pharmaceutical company that developed it. This name is often trademarked, meaning that only the company can use it to sell that particular drug. Brand name drugs are typically more expensive than their generic counterparts, as they include costs for research, development, and marketing. When a brand name drug's patent expires, other companies can create and sell generic drugs that contain the same active ingredients. These generics are usually sold at a lower price and must meet the same safety and efficacy standards set by regulatory bodies like the FDA in the United States.