Perceptions of the substitution of generics Posted 13/05/2016

Pharmacists are mostly positive about the substitution of generics for brand-name drugs, according to a study analysing negative perceptions about generics, carried out by researchers from New Zealand and the US [1].
A systematic search of databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus) was carried out in order to identify observational studies published in English between 1980 and 6 September 2015. After screening 2,737 articles, 52 articles were included in the final analysis. The publication dates for these studies ranged from 1987 through 2015 and included data from 27 countries.
Substitution Research suggests that the majority of consumers learn about generics from a doctor or pharmacist, and this medical advice is critical to consumers’ decision to take a generic drug. The authors therefore believe that ‘there is clearly a need for interventions aimed at the general population and health professionals to target misperceptions of inferior quality, safety and efficacy – as well as to explain the reasons why generic medicines are cheaper than brand-name equivalents, the meaning of bioequivalence, and the testing and regulatory processes involved in approving a generic medicine for general use’.
Conflict of interest
Editor’s comment Readers interested in contributing a research or perspective paper to GaBI Journal– an independent, peer reviewed academic journal – please send us your submission here.
Related articles Perceptions of the effectiveness and quality of generics Generics perceptions in patients, pharmacists and doctors
Reference Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing. Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2016 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.
Pharmacists had significantly lower rates of negative perceptions about substitution of generics for their brand-name alternatives (11.04%) compared to patients (34.03%, p < 0.0001) and physicians (24.11%, p < 0.0001). Patients were the most likely to report unfavourable attitudes towards substituting a brand-name drug with its generic equivalent and held more negative perceptions of drug substitution compared to doctors (p < 0.0001).
The authors of the research paper [1] declared that there were no conflicts of interest.
Readers interested to learn more about patients’ and physicians’ perceptions of generics are invited to visit www.gabi-journal.net to view the following manuscripts published in GaBI Journal:
Perceptions of the safety and side effects of generics
1. Colgan S, Faasse K, Martin LR, Stephens MH, Grey A, Petrie KJ. Perceptions of generic medication in the general population, doctors and pharmacists: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2015;5:e008915. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008915.
Comments (0)
Generics News Research General
- Approving generics of polymer-based parenteral...Generics/Research | Posted 26/02/2021
- AIFA updates the Transparency Lists for genericsGenerics/General | Posted 26/02/2021
- Adherence improves long-term prognosis and medi...Generics/Research | Posted 19/02/2021
- Anti-competitive strategic patenting by pharmac...Generics/Research | Posted 12/02/2021
Biosimilars News Research General
- Collaboration between regulatory authorities fo...Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/02/2021
- Biosimilar approvals and launches in the USBiosimilars/General | Posted 26/02/2021
- Biosimilars approved in AustraliaBiosimilars/General | Posted 21/02/2014
- Biosimilar approvals and patent litigation in t...Biosimilars/General | Posted 19/02/2021