11 October 2018 - The FDA approved or tentatively approved a record-setting 971 generic drugs in fiscal year 2018 that ended last month, the agency announced on Thursday.

The total figure is slightly above the 937 final and tentative approvals in fiscal 2017, which itself was also a record. Generics are copies of brand name drugs and typically much cheaper. The Trump administration has pinpointed quickening generic drug approvals as a key way to bring down prescription drug costs.

“We’ll continue taking additional steps to help ensure patients have access to the drugs they need by making generic drug approval more efficient and predictable,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in a statement.

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