Prescribers’ and dispensers' views about generic medicines and international non-proprietary name prescribing – a mixed methods study in Portugal

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the views of pharmacy professionals (PPs) in Portugal about generic medicines and international non-proprietary name (INN) prescribing and compare them with the views of general practitioners (GPs). Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 185 community PPs and 85 GPs. Their perceptions were examined using a five-point Likert scale applied to statements focusing on five main topics of interest: motivation, safety, users’ perceptions and knowledge, advantages and disadvantages of generic medicines and INN prescribing. Daily experiences and suggestions for decreasing health and pharmaceutical expenses were explored through open-ended questions. Nonparametric tests were used to compare attitudes between both groups and to explore associations between the level of agreement and respondents’ demographic characteristics. Content analysis was used to categorize the answers to the open-ended questions. Findings Generally, GPs expressed more negative opinions toward generics and INN prescribing than PPs. GPs perceived generics as less effective, less safe, inferior in quality, more likely to cause side effects and believed that users do not trust them. Both groups believed that patients remain very confused and ill-informed about generics, only adhering to them because of their low cost and expressed concerns about the existence of an excessive number of generic medicines and the lack of patients’ responsibility toward medicines costs. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to elicit and compare Portuguese GPs and PPs opinions concerning INN prescribing.

Factors facilitating and hindering counselling about generic substitution and a reference price system in community pharmacies - a survey among Finnish dispensers

“…The system should be simplified to make it clearer to the customer and easier for pharmacists to execute. In a Portuguese study, for example, pharmacy professionals considered it difficult to explain the frequent change in prices to customers [ 48 ]. Similar findings were also made in this study, as continued price fluctuations and changes in the reference price band were reported to complicate counselling.…”

Assessment of the differences between generic and biosimilar drugs: A brief literature review

“…9 A recent mixed-methods study showed negative perceptions of general practitioners toward generic drugs in terms of quality, efficacy, and safety. 10 In low- and middle-income countries, pharmacists have limited capacity to switch to lower-cost options without referring to doctors and patients’ acceptance of substitution is essential since most payments are out-of-pocket. 11,12 Generic drugs and biosimilars have many similarities; however, they differ in several aspects such as characteristics, production, and interchangeability.…”