Professor Colum Dunne:

I stated that we did not examine specifically the relationship between prescribing hospital consultants and pharmacists based in the hospital setting. That would be a very different interaction. It all comes down to the product, be it for acutely ill patients, emergency patients or those in the community setting. Having regard to generics, we are considering medicines that are commonly prescribed in the community setting.

Let me make my final point, and perhaps a recommendation. Both the pharmacists and GPs involved in our studies referred to confusion caused by branded generics and the generic products, especially among the elderly they are dealing with. The colour, shape and packaging of the products are problematic. If the original product has "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday" written on its packaging, it would be particularly helpful if the generic packaging also had it written on it.