ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the basic concepts of pharmaceutical inter-changeability and to discuss issues involved in the process of medicine substitution as well as the present situation of medicine substitution in our and other countries. METHODS: Collecting literatures on pharmaceutical inter-changeability, generic medicines and brand-name medicines, after analyzing and summarizing the information on pharmaceutical inter-changeability and medicine substitution were reviewed. RESULTS: The substitution of generic medicines with brand-name medicines involves in issues about bioequivalence, therapeutic equivalence, benefit, harm and so on. Our and other countries take appropriate measures to carry out the substitution of generic medicines with brand-name medicines. CONCLUSION: With following certain rules, generic medicines can substitute for brand-name medicines. This can be better to ensure the safety of drug use in clinical practice.