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 | ||