RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Generic medicines - can quality be assured? JF Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin JO Drug Ther Bull FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 9 OP 11 DO 10.1136/dtb.1997.3529 VO 35 IS 2 YR 1997 UL http://dtb.bmj.com/content/35/2/9.abstract AB Generic prescribing is steadily increasing, a change which we1 and others2–4 encourage. The proportion of prescriptions written in general practice in England using the generic (approved) name increased from 35% in 1985 to 55% in 1995.5 Where a product is prescribed generically, the alternatives that could be supplied should be equivalent, to ensure that patients are not put at risk. In this article, we review how the equivalence and quality of generic drugs are assured and consider whether the process is adequate.