What's in a name? Brand name confusion and generic medicines

Carney, Shane; Gazarian, Madlen; Denholm, Justin T.; Reith, David; Penhall, Robert; Jenkins, Christine; Wilhelm, Kay; Komesaroff, Paul A.; Osborn, Mary; Day, Richard O.

doi:10.5694/mja10.10968

Cited by 6 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The choice to prescribe certain branded or generic medications has wider repercussions; influencing government health expenditure, pharmacist dispensing and corporate spending on marketing and research . Medication choice in Australia has increased dramatically over the past decade, as generic options have become available for previously patented items . This abundance of choice may unfortunately lead to confusion among patients and physicians over medication names – with ensuing errors and harms as a result …”

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confidence: 99%

“…The possibility for patient confusion from the varied names of bio‐identical medication is a real concern, with case reports attributing deaths to the prescription of brand name medications . Anecdotal evidence suggests that these harms are growing, as the proliferation of medication choices continues to increase . Although evidence as to the extent and severity of this issue is lacking, it remains a significant problem such that many physicians may alter prescribing habits in those patients who may be at risk …”

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confidence: 99%

“…Anecdotal evidence suggests that these harms are growing, as the proliferation of medication choices continues to increase . Although evidence as to the extent and severity of this issue is lacking, it remains a significant problem such that many physicians may alter prescribing habits in those patients who may be at risk …”

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confidence: 99%

“…If packaging names are continually changed on the packaging through substitution, even the highly astute and educated may be at risk of medication errors. The Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council proposed a safer brand substitution policy in 2006, with use of active ingredient names in an effort to reduce these errors, yet was never implemented …”

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confidence: 99%

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The art of prescribing: negotiating the decision of generic or branded medications

Grant

Chapman

2015

Internal Medicine Journal

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confidence: 99%

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The art of prescribing: negotiating the decision of generic or branded medications

Grant

Chapman

2015

Internal Medicine Journal

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“…These concerns were probably founded as literature showed that differences in medicinal product name, packaging and physical attributes negatively influence medication adherence and result in medication errors, due to patient confusion and discontent [32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. Studies also confirmed that good communication with patients is essential when medication switches occur [39][40][41].…”

Section: Financial Detrimentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes of Physicians and Pharmacists Towards International Non‐Proprietary Name Prescribing in Belgium

Bever

Elseviers

Plovie

et al. 2014

Basic Clin Pharma Tox

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International Non-proprietary Name (INN) prescribing is the use of the name of the active ingredient(s) instead of the brand name for prescribing. In Belgium, INN prescribing began in 2005 and a major policy change occurred in 2012. The aim was to explore the opinions of Dutch-speaking general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists. An electronic questionnaire with 39 five-point Likert scale statements and one open question was administered in 2013. Multivariate analysis was performed with multiple linear regression on a sum score for benefit statements and for drawback statements. Answers to the open question were qualitatively analysed. We received 745 valid responses with a representable sample for both subgroups. Participants perceived the motives to introduce INN prescribing as purely economic (to reduce pharmaceutical expenditures for the government and the patient). Participants accepted the concept of INN prescribing, but 88% stressed the importance of guaranteed treatment continuity, especially in older, chronic patients, to prevent patient confusion, medication non-adherence and erroneous drug use. In conclusion, the current way in which INN prescribing is applied in Belgium leads to many concerns among primary health professionals about patient confusion and medication adherence. Slightly adapting the current concept of INN prescribing to these concerns can turn INN prescribing into one of the major policies in Belgium to reduce pharmaceutical expenditures and to stimulate rational drug prescribing.

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A proactive quality strategy to decrease the risk of error associated with medication procurement

Graudins

Treseder

Hui³

et al. 2016

Pharmacy Practice and Res

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Aim: To describe a two-stage system of medication product review prior to dispensing or distribution, to decrease risk of error resulting from product changes. Methods: Initial development of a safety strategy occurred during the 2010 state-wide tender of pharmaceutical products. Samples of new medication products were obtained and risk assessed by consensus. Detailed criteria were subsequently developed for: (i) centralised state-based review; and (ii) hospital pharmacy review in-between tenders. Results were fed back to improve evaluation during state-wide tender. Results: In 2010, 14 of 300 (4.6%) new brands of tendered products were assessed as having some risk. Shelf tags or alerts were produced for low or moderate risk products (n = 11, 3.6%). For three products (1.0%), alternative brands were purchased. Subsequently, detailed criteria were developed for both state tender and routine hospital pharmacy product review. In 2014 the hospital's medication safety pharmacists reviewed 242 products in between tender periods. Fifty-two (21.4%) were assessed as having some risk. For seven products (2.8%) an alternative brand was sought. The state tender group now includes a medication safety review during each tender process. Conclusion: Evaluation of new brands during pharmaceutical tender highlighted the importance of having a system to decrease the risk of selection error. The two stages of the medication safety product review strategy are described. First, the centralised review at tender; second, the hospital pharmacy review at procurement and in between tenders, which has further decreased risks associated with new brands and new products.

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What's in a name? Brand name confusion and generic medicines

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

The art of prescribing: negotiating the decision of generic or branded medications

The art of prescribing: negotiating the decision of generic or branded medications

Attitudes of Physicians and Pharmacists Towards International Non‐Proprietary Name Prescribing in Belgium

A proactive quality strategy to decrease the risk of error associated with medication procurement

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