A generic drug maker is a company that produces drugs with the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, but without the brand name or patent protection. These companies are able to produce these drugs after the original patent has expired, allowing them to sell their products at a lower price than the brand-name version. Generic drug makers must meet the same strict standards of quality and safety as brand-name manufacturers in order to receive approval from regulatory agencies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States.