Table 1.

Website quality assessment (WQA) questions for assessing generic medicine website information

Question	Answer and score	WQA score awarded
Does the site give an explanation as to what a generic medicine is?	Yes = 1
	No = 0
Is this explanation correct? (i.e. 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 non-scientist?	Yes = 1
	No = 0
Are examples given of generic medicines? E.g. example of a proprietary medicine that also state their 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 non-scientist?	Yes = 1
	No = 0
	N/A
Is the cheaper price of generics referred to?	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 (colour, shape etc.) different taste/smell or different inactive ingredients?	Yes = 1
	No = 0
Are narrow therapeutic index [18] 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? [e.g. lower price for same safety & bioequivalence etc.…]	Yes = 1
	No = 0
Are any “cons” of generics mentioned? [e.g. adverse events to dissimilar excipients etc.…]	Yes = 1
	No = 0
Is the difference between proprietary and non-proprietary names mentioned?	Yes = 1
	No = 0
Is the explanation given for the difference between proprietary and non-proprietary names accurate?	Yes = 1
	No = 0
	N/A
Generic prescribing mentioned and explained accurately?	Yes = 1
	No = 0
Total score
Flesch reading ease score
Flesch Kinkaid grade level