What is the the drug make-up difference between Wellbrutrin and the generic Bupropion?

The "Active drug" makeup between brand-name medicines and generics are exactly the same. The same medicines, the same strengths, the same dosages, same chemical structures. And beyond the basic obvious similarities, any generic drug goes through EXTENSIVE testing and study to ensure its quality is equivalent to that of the brand name and that it has achieved the same results on blinded patient testings (groups of patients taking a random unknown pill [brand or generic] and then results being measured to isolate whether a difference in efficacy was seen between the brand and the generic).

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The main reason that brand name medicines are expensive (and stay expensive) are that they are not common (how often do you see a new pharmaceutical cure anymore with so many having already been discovered), and they have a patent saying that they will be the sole manufacturer and dispenser of this new drug for 20 years after the discovery and patenting of the drug; literally meaning they can price it whatever they wish without being outbid by cheaper competitors. Also, they have to do those dumb marketing techniques like advertising and convincing people to take the pill in the first place (using money that they will turn around and charge you threefold).

The biggest difference between brand name and generic drugs are looks, colour, size, shape, what fillers are used to house the actual "medicine" and other unimportant ingredients. Some patients just happen to have certain allergies or other physiological needs which require them to keep taking a brand medication even once a generic is introduced; in this rare scenario, such as with thyroid pills or certain birth control pills, insurance is more likely to be more generous on their side of the payment in the medicine. Otherwise most insurance companies quite literally say "take the generic, or pay 10x as much out of your own pocket for the brand name.

Sad but true how the insurance world works. But to answer your original question Prain, after that long spiel, the active drug in both Bupropion and Wellbutrin is bupropion hydrochloride, an atypical type of anti-depressent that is in a class of its own (NDRI's). I'd be glad to explain more about this drug but seeing as thats not the question, I'll take this time to stop boring the readers.