Knowledge, Perception and Attitude Regarding Generic Medicines among Iraqi Physicians

Abstract

Objectives: The study aim was to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of Iraqi physicians regarding generic and locally manufactured medicines.
 Methods: A total of 124 physicians were involved in this cross -sectional study. The convenience sample was collected from five public hospitals in Baghdad. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and collected in-person. Fisher's Exact Test was used to measure the association between physician years of experience, gender and categorical (perception and knowledge) variables.
 Results: Most respondent answers regarding the knowledge of generic medicines were incorrect. Only up to one-third of the participants knew that generic medicines are therapeutically equivalent to brand name medicines (26.6%), as safe as brand name medicines (34.7%) and required to meet similar safety standards as brand name medicines (12.1%). With respect to perception, many physicians had negative perceptions about generic medicines such as viewing generic medicines as lower quality (57.3%) and cause more side effects (41.1%) compared to brand name medicines. Regarding physician attitudes toward generic medicines, about two-thirds (64.5%) of the physicians were willing to prescribe low cost medicines; however, only about half (51.6%) of the physicians reported they offer generic medicines to their patients. Finally, 64.5% of the participants were not comfortable with pharmacist replacing prescribed brand with generic medicines.
 Conclusions: In general, Iraqi physicians have negative perceptions and attitudes about generic and locally manufactured medicines. Significant gaps were identified in the knowledge and perceptions among physicians regarding generic medicines especially in relation to efficacy and safety of generic medicines.
 
 Article Type: Original Research

Opinion of primary care physicians regarding prescription of generic drugs

“…(57.5%) reported higher proportion as compared to this study. [ 20 22 24 25 28 35 ] Majority (67.6%) of physicians believed that generics contain same active substance(s) and at the same dose(s) as that of the innovator medicine and study findings were supported by as reported by Tandel et al . (61.8%) and Fadare et al .…”

“…and Fadare et al . [ 20 22 ] Around 57% physicians agreed or strongly agreed that doctors should prescribe only generic drugs and the most common reason cited was low cost of the generic drugs. For those who disagreed gave the reason of substandard quality (24.4%) and less effectiveness (35.6%) of generic drugs as compared to brand.…”

“…(55%) which reported higher proportion of physicians who believed that generics aren't safe. [ 17 18 20 25 26 ] The perception of substandard quality, less effectiveness and unsafe nature of generics can be eliminated by conducting regular sensitization sessions and continued medical education for the physicians regarding drug discovery, development, and regulations governing generics which might help in increased prescribing of generics by the physicians. [ 33 ] In a study conducted by Tian Y et al .…”

“…[ 13 14 15 16 ] The generic use and substitution is common practice in the western countries still the knowledge and perception of the primary care physicians towards the generics in the studies in abroad are not up to the mark. [ 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 ] There are few studies conducted in India which reports positive results with a good knowledge and attitude among the physicians which is an optimistic sign for the healthcare system. [ 24 25 26 ] Contrarily, literature search also shows a few studies conducted in India with inadequate knowledge and perception of the doctors towards the generics.…”

Determinants of national drug products acceptance across patients, pharmacists, and manufacturers: A mixed method study

“…In a separate study, Iraqi physicians unveil their strong preference of imported products and specifically brands over national products and generics in general. 22 They also disclosed their disapproval of pharmacist replacement of prescribed brand by national alternatives when dispensing a prescription. Likewise, a recent Iraqi study in community pharmacies found the majority (54%) of outpatients returned to physician clinic after dispensing prescribed medications from pharmacy to show the medicines to their doctors.…”