Final answer:
A patient must indeed be informed and consent to generic substitution, which is a requirement upholding the principle of autonomy in healthcare. This ensures patients are aware of all aspects of their treatment, including the use of generic drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
True: A patient must be informed about and consent to generic substitution before any such substitution may be performed. This principle is anchored in the principle of autonomy, which states that patients have a right to exercise self-determination when making decisions about their own healthcare. In the context of medication, informed consent is crucial because it ensures that patients are aware of and agree to the use of equivalent generic drugs as substitutes for brand-name medications.
In practice, this means healthcare providers must clearly communicate all risks and benefits of the generic medication to the patient. Furthermore, informed consent is not only a one-time event prior to treatment but an ongoing process whereby patients should be kept informed about their treatment as it progresses, including any changes like generic substitutions.