Public knowledge, perception, and experience with generic medications in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

To assess the public knowledge and perception about generic medications in Saudi Arabia, and their willingness to use generic medications. Methods: This cross-sectional, online-questionnairebased study was conducted between May and July 2019, including participants who can read and complete an Arabic online survey. Chi-square test and contingency coefficient were used to investigate differences in different segments of participants and assess the association between knowledge and perception. Original Article Results: A total of 397 participants have completed the survey. One-half of them were female, the majority were of young age (<35 years), and 40% of them were buying their medications independently. Only 40.5% of participants had adequate knowledge and 60% of them had positive perception on generics. Participants with higher level of education were more likely to have adequate knowledge (p=0.002) and positive perception (p=0.006). The study found a moderate relationship between knowledge and perception about generics (standardized C=0.35, p<0.001). The country of origin for medications was a significant indicator of quality for two-thirds of participants, and one-half of them believed that local generics can compete with imported ones. About onehalf of participants used generics and the majority of them were satisfied with their experience. Conclusion: There is a general lack of knowledge, while having a positive perception on generic medications among the general public in Saudi Arabia. Future studies should focus on strategies to improve it and assess its cost-savings consequences while maintaining quality of care.

Physicians’ Knowledge and Awareness about Biosimilars in Saudi Arabia: What is Imperative to Know ??

“…6 These study results highlighted the need for timely updation of the medical programs' syllabi and the regular arrangement of the continuous medical education programs to better equip the physicians with the recent knowledge and detailed information about biosimilars in the local market. [13][14][15] In this study, regarding the preferred modes/ways of learning about biosimilars, the preferred education format to learn and know more about biosimilars were online educational programs (39%) followed by regional scientific conferences and meetings (13.3%). In contrast to our findings, another study reported that the preferred education format among their study physicians was physical conferences and other live meetings.…”

“…Although our study and their study had different study populations, different study sites, different biosimilar market and different working environments, yet both of the similar findings urge the need of detailed information of various aspects about biosimilars before their actual use in clinical practice to treat various ailments by the physicians. 14,17 Similarly, another study reported that the physicians' understanding of biosimilars was poor and the need to improve their awareness and knowledge regarding biosimilars was high. 3 Indeed, before the actual prescribing of biosimilars, it is of utmost importance to know the efficacy, safety, cost, stability and appropriateness of biosimilars.…”

“…12 In 2010, the SFDA developed and published the first guidelines regarding the registration of biosimilars in the country. [12][13][14][15] Later in 2017, a further milestone was achieved by publishing guidelines about biosimilars' quality and control in Saudi Arabia. 16 The biosimilars' quality consideration guidelines provide detailed information regarding biosimilars' comparability aspects, manufacturing procedures, reference medicinal formulations and their analytical methods regarding biological activity and purity.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] In 2018, the market shares of biosimilars had crossed 1.5 billion USD which itself showed a high market potential for biosimilars in the region. [13][14][15][16][17] In Saudi Arabia, as the biosimilars are about to capture the pharma market, hence it is essential to determine the current awareness in terms of knowledge and awareness about biosimilars among physicians in Saudi Arabia. To date, there is a lack of published data about physicians' knowledge and awareness about the required information about biosimilars.…”

Awareness and Knowledge of Pharmacists toward Biosimilar Medicines: A Survey in Jordan

“…This outcome is contrary to that of Adé et al who found that 64% of pharmacists opposed indication extrapolation as they have doubted biosimilar safety and efficacy in extrapolated indications [ 24 ]. This discrepancy could be due to differences in the study populations, the pharmacy curricula, market availability of biosimilars, and the resources of biosimilars among these studies [ 40 , 41 ].…”