Predictors of substitution to generic drugs and physicians’ perceived exclusivity of substitution: A cross sectional survey among physicians

Abstract

The use of generic medicines facilitate access to treatment and reduce the overall health cost. Policies promoting generic substitution take into account many components such as quality and efficacy considering health stakeholders including physicians and pharmacists and identifying factors impacting generics prescription. The current study aimed to assess the association between the perception of physicians towards generics with their sex and age and their willingness to switch to generics after initial treatment. Furthermore, it aimed to evaluate the predictors for switching brands to generics after initial treatment and perceiving the exclusivity to perform this substitution. Prescription of generics to lower medical cost was more common among younger physicians compared to those 50 years and older. Interestingly, physicians aged 40 and above were more prone to prescribe generics to patients without medical coverage, while compared to physicians younger than 30 years of age. Age was significantly associated with switching initial treatment to generics, which was 2.46 times higher for physicians older than 50 years compared to those younger than 30 years. In addition, physicians practicing more than 20 years were about 1,5 times more accepting the substitution by pharmacists after initial treatment by brand while compared to physicians practicing for less than 10 years. Strategies to increase generic substitution and promoting its acceptance among physicians should take into consideration the different significant predictors. However, Further research is required to explore more factors, predicting prescription of generics in Lebanon, such as visits by medical representatives, regulations of the hospital that the physician is practicing, which are also proven to have high influence on the prescription practice of generics.

Knowledge, perception and acceptance of generic drugs in the general Lebanese population: A cross-sectional survey among adults

“…12,13 Moreover, the odds of acceptance to switch to generic drugs after initial treatment were reported to be higher among older Lebanese physicians with more experience. 14 However, in a recent study targeting pharmacists, only 52% suggested substituting to generics and were not supportive of the current strategy adopted. 6 Nevertheless, a study conducted in 2018 reported that after 12 months of switching from a brand to a generic drug, the same health outcomes were observed in terms of outpatient visits, urgent care visits, hospitalisations and medication discontinuation.…”

Non-communicable disease multimorbidity: Challenges and solutions

“…Health stakeholders tried to invest in preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases through several measures, such as smoking cessation campaigns, early detection, and lifestyle interventions [5]. To improve medication access and decrease health inequalities, governments encouraged generic drug prescription [6], substitution [7], and clarification of misconceptions to increase their acceptance and use [8]. This brief communication summarizes the challenges associated with non-communicable disease multimorbidity and suggests solutions to overcome these challenges.…”

Generic drugs use during the COVID-19 pandemic among Lebanese patients using psychotropics: An opportunity for generic drug promotion

“…7 Older physicians and those with more years of practice had higher acceptance to substitute to generics after initial treatment with a brand drug. 8 The ministry of public health in Lebanon promoted the use of generic by implementing the unified medical prescription that allows pharmacists to substitute to generic drugs without referring to the doctors. 9 Nevertheless, the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic has imposed several challenges leading to the shortage of medications due to the disruption of their supply chains.…”