I pick B.

the assumption is besides cost, generic drug is the same as brand name drug. B strengthens this assumption.

I am not so sure, I will be honest and pick A but D seems also the good option.

In my opnion B is not the answer because it is not about costs but about defects in composition.

I think it is C because all major drug companies charge higher prices to offset their costly research. Generic "copycat" drugs need not research, just reproduce, so costs are kept at a minimum.

The argument is

So, generic drugs are just as effective as their brand-name counterparts, but cost considerably less.


Generic drugs contain exactly the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts, but usually cost much less to develop, produce, and market. So, generic drugs are just as effective as their brand-name counterparts, but cost considerably less.

Which of of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

A) The ingredients used in the manufacture of brand-name drugs cost no more than the ingredients used to produce their generic counterparts.
this does not strenthen the srgument that generic drugs are as effective as brand name

B) Generic drugs are no more likely than brand-name drugs to suffer from defects in composition.

this is the comparison of effectiveness.

C) Generic drugs are just as likely as brand-name drugs to be readily available in pharmacies.
out of scope
D) THe higher costs of brand-name drugs underwrite drugs companies' heavy investment in research.
out of scope

E) Because of advertising, doctors frequently prescribe brand-name drugs by their brand name, rather than by their chemical name.
out of scope

Pretty interesting discussion, so I thought I'd chip in with my views as well. Please provide criticism.

The argument: "So, generic drugs are just as effective as their brand-name counterparts, but cost considerably less."

Fine Print : The argument talks about "equal effectiveness" AND "considerably lower cost".

Now individual statements:

A. This argument doesn't explain why brand name drugs are expensive - in fact it states the opposite - that the ingredients for generic and brand name drugs cost the same. This is no new information anyway, because the passage already states "Generic drugs contain exactly the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts". It does not talk about other factors that might differentiate between the final price of drugs (develop, produce and market). I'd not really go with it.

B. Defects in composition is not considered in the passage. It is not a part of the argument. I think it is quite irrelevant.

C. Again, ready availability doesnt have anything directly to do with cost and effectiveness - so I guess quite irrelevant here.

D. Here it comes - the higher price of a brand name drug is because of a higher investment of the drug company in research.

[For those who might not be in the know - a company which develops a drug initially takes a patent on it, and chooses a fancy name to market the product, and at a significantly high price. After the patent expires, other companies can develop the same drug and sell it as generic drugs. Since the other companies were not the original developers, they had not incurred the costs on R&D, and hence can offer the drug cheap in the market. Of course the original drug company has the early mover advantage, and a market share advantage, so can still continue to charge higher price, which is also partly because the company might not have recovered its cost on R&D completely]

E. This is true, but doesn't explain why "cost more and same effect". So I'd not go with this too.

My final choice would be D.

Your viewpoint on this?
_________________

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Assumptions Same active ingredients therefore same effectiveness, prices don't matter.

A. Similar ingredient costs suggest similar ingredient quality therefore it's a strengthener.

B's 'defects in composition' sound too general to me

gmataquaguy, The 'MarkUp' is not mentioned in the argument, this is an assumption made on your part - word of caution, do not bring in external information while doing CRs.

A compares the cost of ingredients. But the stem already provided that generic drugs have exactly the same ingredients as the brand names. Therefore A doesn't really provide more support to the argument.
_________________

Keep on asking, and it will be given you;
keep on seeking, and you will find;
keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you.

Generic drugs contain exactly the same active ingredients as their brand name counterparts, but usually cost much less to develop, produce and market. So, generic drugs are just as effective as their brand-name counterparts, but cost considerably less.

Which of the following if true most strengthens the argument?

(A) The ingredients used in the manufacture of brand name drugs cost no more than the ingredients used to produce their generic counterparts.
(B) Generic drugs are just as likely as brand-name drugs to be readily available in pharmacies.
(C) Generic drugs are no more likely than brand-name drugs to suffer from defects in composition.
(D) The higher cost of brand-name drugs underwrite drug companies' heavy investment in research.
(E) Because of advertising, doctors frequently prescribe brand-name drugs by their brand-name, rather than by their chemical name.
_________________

Thanks and Regards,
Charu Kapoor

Never Never Never GIVE UP !!
Consider KUDOS in case I was able to help you.

Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are exactly the same as those of their brand-name counterparts.

An example of a generic drug, one used for diabetes, is metformin. A brand name for metformin is Glucophage. (Brand names are usually capitalized while generic names are not.) A generic drug, one used for hypertension, is metoprolol, whereas a brand name for the same drug is Lopressor. Use this pharmacy internationaldrugmart(dot)com to shop more generic drugs