IN response to the joint letter from Dr Peter Elton and Andrew Martin regarding generic drugs, most patients know that the active ingredient in them is the same. It is the non-active bulking agents that can cause problems for the patient.

Generic drugs contain silicon, starch, talc, phosphate, cellulose and E numbers, which are not normally in the original drug.

My wife has to take 10 different tablets, the generic version of two of them, Meloxican and Omeprazole, make her develop a rash and cause her sickness.

The generic manufacturers should be made to copy the original drug exactly, otherwise it will cost the NHS more when patients find the generic version does not suit them.

I believe that the wholesale change to generic drug use will open the door to counterfeiters.

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