Pharmacists’ experiences and attitudes regarding generic drugs and generic substitution: two sides of the coin

Abstract

According to the interviewed pharmacists generic substitution is not primarily an issue of generic versus brand-name products, but concerns above all the challenges that the switch implies for patients and pharmacists. To prevent known confusion and concerns among patients it is important that community pharmacists acquire the necessary tools and knowledge to manage this situation; pharmacists themselves as well as pharmacy owners and authorities share responsibility for this.

Perceptions and Attitudes of Community Pharmacists Towards Generic Medicines

“…Very few pharmacists expressed reticent opinions, but 1 of the primary concerns, as has been reported elsewhere, 6 was that confusion caused by differing aesthetic presentations of generic medicines has the potential to be problematic for patients.…”

“…medicines, indicating that this is a relatively underexplored area internationally. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] With Ireland on the cusp of a major modification in health care practices, there are many potential hurdles to overcome during the introduction of such changes. 13 The attitudes and behaviors of health care professionals towards generic medicines are pivotal to the successful implementation of the new legislation.…”

The effects of Social Security Institution implementations on community pharmacists' job satisfaction: A qualitative study

“…Çalışmamızda eczacıların belirttiği artan personel giderleri, kira, vergi, stopaj gibi çeşitli giderlerin yanında ilaç fiyatlarının sürekli düşmesi ve stok zararlarının karşılanmaması gibi olguların eczacılar üzerinde ticari bir baskı oluşturduğu ve bu ticari baskılar sebebiyle eczacıların ayakta kalabilmek adına etkinliğine tam olarak güvenemedikleri ilaçları satmak zorunda hissettikleri ortaya çıkmıştır. 2012 yılında İsveç'te yapılan bir çalışmada bazı eczacılar jenerik ilaç ile orijinal ilacın biyoeşdeğer olduğuna ikna olmadıklarını belirtmişlerdir (18). Eczacıların mesleki saygınlıklarını kendi gözlerinde yitirmelerine neden olan bu tür zorlanmalar konusunda gerekli girişim ve çabalar SGK ve kamuoyu nezdinde gösterilmelidir.…”

Quality and efficiency of statin prescribing across countries with a special focus on South Africa; findings and future implications

“…As a result, potentially leading to either duplication of medicines; alternatively, patients not taking their prescribed treatments as directed; consequently, not gaining the most benefit (58). These scenarios are exacerbated if pharmacists lack training on how to handle concerns with substitution and/ or do not receive payment for providing relevant information to patients potentially limiting the time spent with them (57,59). INN prescribing, apart from a limited number of wellknown situations, is one way to address this as well as obtain low prices for generics when combined with increased knowledge on how the prices of generics are derived as well as any rebates and discounts in the system (23,60).…”