Branded vs Generic Calculator
Same active ingredient, same dose, a fraction of the price. See exactly what switching branded medicines and supermarket staples for generic and own-brand equivalents could save you a year.
Estimate only. This calculator gives estimates for information only. Always check the active ingredient, dose and any allergy/interaction information on the packet, and speak to a pharmacist if you're unsure whether a generic medicine is suitable for you.
Your swaps, ranked by saving
| Item | Branded | Generic | Saving/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast cereal | £3.50 | £1.20 | £120 |
| Hay fever tablets (cetirizine) | £5.99 | £1.09 | £59 |
| Ibuprofen (200mg tablets) | £3.55 | £0.79 | £33 |
| Paracetamol (500mg tablets) | £3.20 | £0.49 | £33 |
| Tomato ketchup | £3.60 | £1.15 | £29 |
Redirecting £23/month into an investment growing at your chosen rate could add up to:
| Years | Paid in | Total value |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | £2,735 | £3,539 |
| 20 | £5,470 | £9,367 |
| 30 | £8,204 | £18,967 |
Illustrative only, not investment advice — growth isn't guaranteed and this doesn't account for charges or tax.
- For medicines, check the active ingredient and dose on the packet — a licensed generic must contain the same active ingredient at the same strength as the branded version.
- Try the "downshift challenge": swap just one brand for its own-brand equivalent each shop, and build up from there rather than switching everything at once.
- Do a blind taste test with the family before committing — for a lot of everyday products (cereal, ketchup) most people genuinely can't tell the difference.
- Own-brand "finest"/premium ranges are sometimes priced close to branded — it's the mid-tier own-brand or the smallest pack size worth comparing on price per 100g/ml.
Why generic and own-brand can be identical
For over-the-counter medicines, "generic" isn't a lesser version — the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) requires a generic to contain the exact same active ingredient, at the same dose, as the branded original before it can be sold. You're often paying extra for packaging, marketing and the brand name rather than a different formula. Supermarket own-brand ranges work differently but the principle is similar for many staples: the core product (a plain paracetamol tablet, a tin of chopped tomatoes, a bottle of ketchup) is frequently made to a very similar recipe at a much lower price. A typical UK household spending on branded groceries and over-the-counter medicines can save roughly £200–£500 a year simply by switching the items that make the least difference to them.