OBJECTIVES: To explore the perceptions of Malaysian community pharmacist towards locally manufactured generic medicines.   METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study involving entire population (N = 270) of practising community pharmacists in the State of Penang, Malaysia was undertaken using a self-completed anonymous mail questionnaire. RESULTS: Responses were received from 48 pharmacists (response rate 17.8%). Majority of the respondents (97.9%) actively dispensed generic medicines in their practice. Only 37.5% of the respondents viewed locally manufactured generic medicines as equal in quality compared to the imported generics from international manufacturers. Approximately 60% of the respondents, however, agreed that domestic generics are equal in safety and efficacy as the imported generic medicines.  About half of the respondents (47.9%) believed that imported generic products need to pass more stringent approval process. Majority of the respondents (68.8%) urged that the Malaysian regulatory authorities should convince pharmacists about the quality of domestic generic medicines. CONCLUSIONS: The Malaysian pharmacists have lack of confidence with the generic medicines produced by local pharmaceutical companies.