A tablet of Panadol Regular costs about 43 sen (RM12.78 for 30 tablets at Watsons). A tablet of Uphamol 500, a branded generic paracetamol, costs about 31 sen (RM6.16 for 20 tablets at Watsons).* Same active ingredient, same 500mg dose, checked at the same pharmacy on the same day.

So if both medicines contain the same active ingredient, why does one cost more?

Same Active Ingredient, Different Manufacturer

Branded and generic medicines contain the same active ingredient, which is the part that does the work in your body. The difference starts with how they reach the market.

When a company develops a new medicine, it spends years researching, testing, and getting approval before the medicine can be sold. The company gets patent protection for a period of time, letting it sell the medicine exclusively while it recovers the cost of developing it.

Paracetamol’s patent expired decades ago, and the medicine has been sold over the counter since the 1950s. Today, the price difference is down to the branding, marketing, and packaging, rather than the medicine itself. 

Generic Medicines Still Have To Pass Safety Checks

Before a generic medicine can be sold in Malaysia, it must meet requirements set by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), the Ministry of Health’s Drug Control Authority, including showing that it works in a similar way to the original medicine.

The packaging, colour, or inactive ingredients may vary, but the active ingredient must meet the required standards. Every registered medicine carries a MAL registration number and a Meditag hologram on the packaging, both of which you can check against NPRA’s product search if you want to confirm what you’re buying.

Why People Still Reach For The Brand Anyway

A familiar brand that’s been around for years can feel safer, especially when it’s the name people have seen in advertisements or heard from others.

That perception can be strong even when a generic medicine has passed the same safety and quality checks. 

A Simple Question To Ask Your Pharmacist

The next time you’re picking up paracetamol, check the shelf for a generic option. At the prices above, that’s about 12 sen less a tablet, which works out to roughly RM2 to RM3 saved on a box of 20. 

If your doctor or pharmacist offers a generic version of a longer-term medication, ask whether it has the same active ingredient as the branded version and whether it’s suitable for you. For long-term medication or specific health conditions, speak to your doctor before making any changes.

*Prices checked at Watsons Malaysia, accurate as of July 2026.

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