The aim of the generic medicines pharmacy tool kit is to support best practice in community pharmacies when discussing generic medicines with consumers. The kit was developed in consultation with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, practising community pharmacists and consumers.



Pharmacists and their staff are encouraged to:

• Avoid offering brand substitution where not allowed, e.g. inappropriate and/or alternative brands are not available.
• Offer brand substitution when taking in prescriptions if appropriate.
• Obtain consumer consent before substituting to a generic brand.
• Offer the same brand when filling repeats.
• Discuss with the consumer the active ingredient name and point out the active ingredient name on the label and/or medicine packaging.
• Explain the brand substitution carefully to the consumer and make sure they understand which brand the medicine replaces.

In order to support this, the kit contains various tools as outlined below. Note that the linked images are samples intended for information purposes only. Actual copies of items in the kit can be ordered through Stirling Fildes on 1300 651 118.

	Prescription intake forms — to be filled in when prescriptions are accepted for dispensing.
	Best practice guide on brand substitution when taking in prescription medicines — contains best practice points to consider when accepting prescriptions for dispensing, and a brand substitution guide for commonly dispensed PBS drugs and some drugs requiring special consideration.
	Best practice guide on brand substitution when giving out prescription medicines — contains best practice points to consider when handing out dispensed medicines to consumer, particularly where brand substitution has occurred.
	Prescription repeat folders — to hold prescription repeats.
	Ancillary labels — when brand substitution occurs, this is a reminder label that includes an area to write the name of the active ingredient of the medicine, as well as the brand name of the medicine which it replaces; this ancillary label is an alternative to the existing ancillary label 15 in the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF). The APF Editorial Board will be including this alternative label as label 15b in the 21st edition of APF (to be released in 2009).

If you have any feedback regarding any of the tools in the kit, please send us your comments.

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