Final answer:
The generic name of a medication is related to the chemical makeup of the drug and represents the official or nonproprietary name. Generic drugs are less expensive counterparts to branded drugs, with the FDA ensuring their therapeutic equivalence through the ANDA approval process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The generic name of a medication is c. related to the chemical makeup of the drug. It is not always capitalized, is not trademarked by the manufacturer, is not protected by copyright, and while it is the official or nonproprietary name for a drug, the term 'assigned or official name' is too vague and could be confused with the brand name which is indeed trademarked and capitalized.
Generic drugs are essentially the chemical equivalents of brand-name drugs whose patents have expired. They are more affordable because they do not need to repeat the expensive clinical trials that were necessary for the brand-name drugs, and they also save on marketing and promotional expenses. The FDA ensures that these drugs are therapeutically equivalent to their branded counterparts through an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), confirming their safety and efficacy.