Variation in Generic Drug Manufacturers' Product Characteristics.

Objectives: Studies suggest appearance may be an important factor in medication nonadherence. This study was undertaken to characterize the range of appearances and costs of 16 oral solid generic medications in four major chronic diseases/conditions.

Methods: We identified frequently prescribed medications in four therapeutic classes-antidiabetics, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), beta blockers, and heart failure drugs-and verified that each had at least three generic manufacturer sources in 2016.