This study evaluated knowledge and use of generic drugs in a population-based sample of adults from a southern Brazilian city. The outcomes were: the proportion of generics in total medicines used; theoretical and practical knowledge about generics; and strategies used to buy medicines on medical prescriptions. The recall period for drug utilization was 15 days. The proportion of generics in to...

BACKGROUND Generic Medicines are an important policy option allowing for access to affordable, essential medicines. Quality of generic medicines must be guaranteed through the activities of national medicines regulatory authorities. Existing negative perceptions surrounding the quality of generic medicines must be addressed to ensure that people use them with confidence. Campaigns to increase t...

Background: The assessment of doctor’s perceptions and understanding about generic medicines may help in recognizing possible barriers to greater generic medicine usage. Aims & Objective: The primary objective of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of doctors toward generic medicines. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a pretes...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of an educational intervention on doctors' knowledge and perceptions towards generic medicines and their generic (international non-proprietary name) prescribing practice. METHODS This is a single-cohort pre-/post-intervention pilot study. The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Perak, Malaysia. All doctors from the internal medicine departm...

OBJECTIVES In developing countries out-of-pocket payments (OOP) are as high as 80% of healthcare spending. Generic medicines can be instrumental in reducing this expenditure. The current study is aimed to explore the knowledge, perception, and attitude of general practitioners towards generic medicines in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS This exploratory, descriptive study was conducted on a sample...

OBJECTIVES In low- and middle-income countries, patients and reimbursement agencies that purchase medicines in the private sector pay more for originator brands when generic equivalents exist. We estimated the savings that could be obtained from a hypothetical switch in medicine consumption from originator brands to lowest-priced generic equivalents for a selection of medicines in 17 countries....

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE The price and availability of medicines are key components in determining access to effective treatment. Data on prices and availability of common medicines in public and private sector in different States of India are scarce. Hence, surveys were undertaken in different States of India to evaluate these metrics. METHODS During October 2004 to January 2005, six surveys w...

OBJECTIVES Generic medicine prescribing has become a common practice in public hospitals. However, the trend in private medical centres seems to be different. The objective of this study was to investigate knowledge, perceptions and behavior of physicians from private medical centres in Malaysia regarding generic medicines. METHODS This study was a cross-sectional nationwide survey targeting ...

This survey examined current patient awareness and understanding of generic substitution. We surveyed 188 renal patients using 36 multiple-choice questions in 2 hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. We found that 70% of patients were aware of the availability of generic medicines, 60% understood the terms "generic" and "branded" in relation to medicines and 64% were conscious of generic substi...

Setting the scene For many years, the global approach to pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies has been informed, first and foremost, by the key differences between those systems which relied on public sector procurement and supply, and those which were based on reimbursement. The first approach was considered to be the most appropriate for developing countries. Funding for healthca...