A study on assessment of awareness on generic drugs among doctors in a tertiary care teaching hospital in north India

Abstract

Background: The assessment of doctors’ perceptions and understanding about generic medicines may help in recognizing the key areas which may act as hurdle to mass scale use of generics. The primary objective of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of doctors toward generic medicines.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a pretested questionnaire in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Jammu (J and K). The questionnaire was designed to assess the KAP about generic medicines. The doctors working in this institute during the study period were included. Data was compiled and analysed using online website, http://www.graphpad.com. P-values of < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.Results: A 62.9% doctors agreed to the fact that generic medicines were intended to be interchangeable with a branded drug (p=0.0139). Among the doctors, 77.5% were aware that generic drug manufacturers need to conduct studies to show bioequivalence between the generic medicine and their branded counterparts (p =0.0001). 88.8% of the doctors agreed that importance of generic medicines should be taught in early part of internship. 80.9% doctors did not think that switching a patient from a brand-name to generic drug may change the outcome of the therapy (p <0.0001).Conclusion: The present study showed that a good percentage of doctors were well aware of generic medicines’ usage. However due to concerns expressed by a certain fraction of participants, further work is needed on how interventions for medical professionals and for the public can lead to increase in the awareness and acceptability of generic medicines.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of rural medical practitioners on generic medicines

“…10 In the present study all the practising RMPs opined that they should be educated on generic drugs by means of CMEs. These results are comparable to studies done by Gupta SK et al, and Gupta R et al 12,13 This emphasises the role of educational programmes in strengthening the implementation of generic prescribing. 84.9 % of the participants agreed that their prescription is influenced by patient's income status which was similar to the studies done by Khadke VV et al and Desai S et al 7,10 Only 11.8 % of the RMPs agreed that their prescription is influenced by incentives given by branded Companies similar to a study done by Khadke VV et al, where only 3% agreed to it.…”

“…These results are consistent with studies done by Gupta R, et al, and Desai S et al, where 88% and 80% of participants agreed to it respectively. 10,13 92.1 % of the RMPs disclosed that their prescription is not influenced by advertisements of branded companies which is consistent with a study done by Khadke VV et al 7 Majority (82.3%) of the participants agreed that tax benefits should be given to generic drug manufacturers similar to the study done by Desai S et al, where 80 % of physicians agreed to the statement. 10 In the present study all the practising RMPs opined that they should be educated on generic drugs by means of CMEs.…”

“…These results were comparable to the studies done by Gupta R et al, on doctors and Ahire K et al on population with non-science background. 11,13 In the present study 88.8% of them were aware of the availability of the generic stores in their locality in contrast to a study done by Desai S et al, on doctors and post graduates. Hence the participants are more aware of PMBJK scheme.…”

“…and Badwai RT et al, where 80% and 68% of physicians were aware of it respectively. 13,14 Low cost of generics is a major boon to the community which cuts down the healthcare related costs. In the present study, 95.4% agreed that prescribing generics will decrease the pharmaco-economic burden.…”

Pharmacy Professionals Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Generic Medicine at Tertiary Care Hospitals

“…In November 2016, it was again renamed as "Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana" (PMBJP). [4][5][6] A KAP survey means Knowledge, Attitude and Practice. It is a quantitative type method with predefined questions that provides access to quantitative and qualitative information.…”