Knowledge regarding generic and branded medicine, attitude, and practice regarding their uses among medical and dental practitioners in South India

Abstract

Health-care expenditures remain a major concern for the health-care system around the world. Around 80% of health-care expenditure is paid from the patient’s pocket and the use of generic medicine can save a lot of money. Hence, the present study was to determine the knowledge regarding generic and branded medicine, attitude, and practice regarding their uses among medical and dental practitioners in South India. A total of 100 registered medical and dental practitioners participated in this cross-sectional study. This study was carried out in February 2022. A self-developed validated questionnaire was adopted and distributed to the medical and dental practitioners in South India through an online Google Form forum to evaluate their knowledge regarding generic and branded medicine, attitude, and practice regarding their uses among the study participants. The statistical analyses were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. About 43% and 38% of medical and dental practitioners were aware of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadi Kendra. Similarly, 44% and 39% were also aware that generic drugs are as effective as branded drugs. For attitude, 37% and 41% of medical and dental practitioners agreed that generic drugs were safe when compared to innovator drugs. About 18% and 25% of medical and dental practitioners agreed that generics take longer to act in the body. For the practice, 21% and 18% agreed that they often prescribe generic medicine for their own and family members. Similarly, 23% and 12% agreed that they often prescribe the same dosage for both generic and branded medicine. Whereas, 9% and 22% agreed that switching a patient from a branded medicine to a generic medicine may affect the outcome of the therapy. In our study, we found that the practitioners had considerable knowledge regarding generic and branded medicines. However, furthermore training programs and dispensation of generic medicine in regular general pharmaceutical stores to improve access to the general public well being.