Katrina Megget, former Editor of PharmaTimes looks back to see how generics transformed pharmaceuticals and how we have reached a point today where 80% of medicines dispensed by the NHS are generic. Generic (or non-proprietary) medicines have been part of the NHS since its inception; and even before its foundation in 1948. Today they provide cheap and safe, chemically identical alternatives to their branded counterparts once these patents have expired, flaunting price reducti