Final answer:
The prescription label may list both the generic and brand names of a medication to ensure transparency and avoid confusion for the patient. Generic drugs are cheaper than brand name drugs because they do not repeat expensive development costs and spend less on marketing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Generic Drugs and Brand Names on Prescription Labels
When dispensing a generic drug, the outpatient prescription label may or may not list the brand name, depending on regulations and standard pharmacy practice. Typically, when a prescription for a brand name medication is filled with a generic equivalent, the prescription label will indicate the generic name along with the statement "brand prescribed as" followed by the brand name, if the prescriber has not stipulated "Dispense as Written" which requires the specific brand name medication.
By doing so, it maintains transparency with patients, allowing them to know both the generic and the brand name, thus avoiding any confusion and ensuring correct medication administration and adherence. Furthermore, generic drugs are significantly cheaper than their name brand counterparts mainly because they do not have to repeat the expensive developmental clinical trials that the original brand name products underwent, and they typically spend less on marketing and promotion.