Guidelines for Generic Labeling on Medicines

The Minister for Health has issued Decision No.068/Menkes/SK/II/2006 to ensure that all medicines include on the label the generic name of the drug as well as any trade name that may be used. All pharmaceutical factories have 3 months within which to comply with the guidelines attached to this Decision and all pharmacies and chemists may continue to sell their medicinal stocks irrespective of compliance for 3 months from the date of this Decision.

The Guidelines set out the technical specifications of the label. The generic name must be at 80% of the size of the trade name. It must be in the same font and color as the trade name and must be located directly underneath the trade name. This applies for all drugs and medicines including freely available and prescription based drugs and medicines.