Table 1.
Website Quality Assessment for assessing information on websites on generic medicines.
| Question | Answer and score |
| Does the site explain what a generic medicine is? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is this explanation correct?(ie, equivalent in dose, strength, route of administration, safety, efficacy, and intended use) | Yes=1 No=0 |
| If so, is the explanation of a generic medicine readable and understandable by a nonscientist? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Are examples given of generic medicines? Eg, example of a proprietary medicine that also states the counterpart generic medicine? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is bioequivalence mentioned in the website? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is bioequivalence explained? | Yes=1 No=0 N/A |
| If so, is the explanation of bioequivalence correct? | Yes=1 No=0 N/A |
| If so, is the explanation of bioequivalence readable and understandable by a nonscientist? | Yes=1 No=0 N/A |
| Is the cheaper price of generics mentioned? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is an accurate reason for the cheaper price of generics given? | Yes=1 No=0 N/A |
| Is any inaccurate information regarding the cheaper price of generics given? | Yes=0 No=1 N/A |
| Are examples given of the actual price difference between generics and proprietary medicines, or of the amount of money that can be saved by use of generics? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is reference made to the fact that approved, equivalent generic meds can have a different appearance (color, shape, etc) different taste/smell or different inactive ingredients? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Are narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs mentioned? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is the difference between NTI and non-NTI drugs explained? | Yes=1 No=0 N/A |
| Is there accurate information given on how generic bioequivalence or generic manufacturing may affect NTI drugs? | Yes=1 No=0 N/A |
| Is any inaccurate information given regarding NTI drugs? | Yes=0 No=1 N/A |
| Are “pros” of generics mentioned? (eg, lower price for same safety and bioequivalence, etc) | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Are any “cons” of generics mentioned? (eg, adverse events to dissimilar excipients, etc) | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is the difference between proprietary and nonproprietary names mentioned? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Is the explanation given for the difference between proprietary and nonproprietary names accurate? | Yes=1 No=0 N/A |
| Is generic prescribing mentioned and explained accurately? | Yes=1 No=0 |
| Total WQA score |
|
| Flesch Reading Ease score |
|
| Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level |
|