Mylan (MYL) has released two new "authorized generic" versions of their flagship "Epipen" and "Epipen Jr." brands into the pharmacy marketplace today, in an attempt to both help make the drug more affordable to those who need it, but also to shortcut other companies from doing it first. Authorized generics are actually the exact same product, just relabeled as generic epinephrine instead of the brand product. Many insurance policies have strict guidelines about the copay or percentages that the patients have to cover themselves, so this kind of labeling could potentially save customers hundreds of dollars in every transaction.Mylan isn't the first to do something like this. For years, Shire Plc (SHPG) sold generic versions of "Adderall XR" that were 100% identical to the very same brand versions coming out of the same production lines. Not every pharmacy will carry these products, but it is an important distinction because sometimes generic products, while containing the same chemicals, will not have identical ways of mixing the ingredients. Sometimes the generic versions do have different side effects in patients when this happens.From the official press release:Both Mylan and Shire are leaders in the retail marketplace, and both would make great long-term holdings in your portfolio of pharmaceutical companies.For more information about the unique obstacles that generic drugmakers are encountering due to insurance changes and upcoming regulation, I encourage you to look at this article.