Physicians’ perceptions of generic medicine in Iran

Abstract

Objective The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to evaluate Iranian physicians' perception of generic medicines and evaluate its relationship with their demographic characteristics, as well as some other underlying factors. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate the perceptions of physicians in Iran with regard to generic medicines. The questionnaire included three general questions covering physicians' beliefs and attitudes toward generic substitution, and 18 questions relating to physicians' perceptions about generic medicines with regard to their efficacy, safety, cost containment, patient acceptance, marketing, and the role of government. Respondents' demographic characteristics and other background data were also collected. Results The analysis of 410 completed questionnaires indicated that [70 % of Iranian physicians prefer to prescribe generic medicines if they are assured that the generic products are equivalent to the brand name drugs. However, they do not believe that the safety and efficacy of generic and brand medicines are equivalent, especially when the medicine is produced domestically. Moreover, physicians mostly disagreed with the right of pharmacists to substitute generic medicines. According to the six dimensions of the administered questionnaire, the most important factor affecting the prescribing of generics is the government's efforts in sharing evidence and training the public, followed by cost containment size, beliefs in the efficacy and safety of generic medicines, patient acceptance and marketing activities. Conclusion In Iran, physicians, the main decision makers regarding drug selection, do not have positive perceptions relating to the efficacy and safety of generic medicines, especially with regard to domestically produced generics. Therefore, the government appears to have a very critical role in informing the public and health professionals on the safety and efficacy of generic medicines.

Generic substitution policy implementation: A pharmacists' perspective survey

“…33 More specifically, pharmacists can select an equivalent generic and provide proper information about the quality and safety of these products to both consumers and prescribers. 4 Consistent with other studies, the results indicated that although the majority of pharmacists are tending to inform patient about cheaper generic, 34 and willing to generic substitution, they are usually concerned about the quality, safety, and efficacy of these products, 35 while in the U.S. which has the highest rate of generic utilization, there is no evidence indicating that generic use has resulted in adverse health outcomes. 36 Even though generic medicines can be deemed as interchangeable without any concerns about safety and efficacy, as they are therapeutically equivalent with original brands, differences in such non-critical product characteristics as taste, smell, or packaging 27 can be confusing for some consumers, thereby reassuring from their physician or pharmacist would be an very effective approach.…”

“…Indeed, the expenditure of pharmaceutical products has become a challenging issue for governments and patients. 3,4 For instance, a market analysis of Iranian pharmaceutical products over 13 years shows a 28.23% annual growth in value. 5 In this regard, many countries are looking for such effective strategies as generic substitution to reduce pharmaceutical costs.…”

Physicians’ and pharmacists’ perception and practice of hospital pharmacist professional role in Egypt

“…[ 22 ] It is possible, however, that some of their resistance was a related to fear of losing their dominance over a central aspect of practice [ 23,24 ] as well as perceived inadequate pharmacist knowledge. [ 25,26 ] Similarly, strong opposition to pharmacist prescribing has been reported in Kuwait, [ 27 ] Jordan, [ 28 ] Palestine [ 29 ] and Egypt. [ 30,31 ]…”

Perceptions, experiences and expectations of physicians regarding the role of pharmacists in low-income and middle-income countries: the case of Tehran hospital settings

“… 37 Similar to some studies, for example, Yousefi et al , most of the physicians were dissatisfied with the pharmacists’ suggestion to generic substitutions. 38 This was mainly because some physicians believe that these activities call into their autonomy and authority or likely impair the physician–patient relationship if the pharmacist’s recommendation differs from their own. However, pharmacist-led counselling was the only activity where physicians were not directly involved in the relationship, unless they were directly informed by patients as to whether they have been counselled or otherwise.…”