The long-standing debate as to whether generic heart drugs are just as effective as brand name counterparts has been divided with medical specialists taking both sides.

Many heart experts believe brand name drugs are chemically better than the cheaper generics and urge against substitution.

But the Journal of the American Medical Association has found no evidence to support either claim.

All brand name drugs made for the treatment of cardiovascular disease have active ingredients, both biological and chemical, that make the drug work on a specific problem.

Generic drugs, by law and FDA approval, must have the same active ingredients and work in the same way.

Still, heart specialists insist brand names are better.

Researchers hoping to change minds and perceptions reviewed articles published between 1984 and august 2008 comparing the clinical effectiveness of brand-name and generic cardiovascular drugs.

Of the studies, 91 percent for diuretics were equal, as were 71 percent for calcium channel blockers.

Those findings closely followed another comparison of beta blockers, anti-platelet agents, statins, ace inhibitors and alpha blockers.

All the studies showed clinical equivalence.

Researchers said they found no evidence that a brand name drug is clinically superior to a generic.

They reached a conclusion that the drugs are therapeutically equivalent, and for the most part, cardiovascular patients get the same result from a generic as they do from a brand-name medication.

The FDA approves all generic drugs and it also certifies that they are bio-equivalent, and they certainly are cheaper.

Despite that, many doctors insist that certain generics don't work for their patients as well as the brand name.

More: FDA Generic Drugs Questions & Answers