Table 3 Comparison between demographic characteristics and knowledge towards generic medicines
Item description | Gender* | Age** | Year of graduation** | Postgraduate qualification* | Country of graduation** | Year of practice** | No. of prescriptions written/day** | % of generics in stock** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A generic medicine is bioequivalent to a brand name medicine. | 0.240 | 0.764 | 0.906 | 0.244 | 0.322 | 0.366 | 0.005 | 0.285 |
A generic medicine must be in the same dosage form (e.g. tablet, capsule) as the brand name medicine. | 0.085 | 0.491 | 0.390 | 0.572 | 0.717 | 0.595 | 0.251 | 0.174 |
A generic medicine must contain the same dose as the brand name medicine. | 0.039 | 0.503 | 0.220 | 0.327 | 0.450 | 0.461 | 0.048 a | 0.261 |
Generic medicines are less effective compared to brand name medicines. (r) | 0.265 | 0.239 | 0.915 | 0.100 | 0.436 | 0.047 | 0.003 a | 0.000 a |
Generic medicines produce more side effects compared to brand name medicines. (r) | 0.535 | 0.001 a | 0.058 | 0.974 | 0.777 | 0.087 | 0.041 | 0.046 |
Brand name medicines are required to meet higher standards than generic medicines. (r) | 0.510 | 0.050 | 0.559 | 0.120 | 0.426 | 0.046 | 0.144 | 0.147 |
There are too many generic brands available. | 0.105 | < 0.001 a | 0.084 | 0.207 | 0.541 | < 0.001 a | 0.019 | 0.452 |
Generics are cheaper for patients than original brands. | 0.183 | 0.418 | 0.396 | 0.077 | 0.360 | 0.213 | 0.274 | 0.029 |
It is easier to remember brand names, rather than generic drug names. | 0.041 | 0.005 a | 0.007 | 0.629 | 0.150 | < 0.001 a | 0.018 a | < 0.001 a |
Patients prefer original brands, they get confused with generics. (r) | 0.171 | 0.385 | 0.883 | 0.930 | 0.293 | 0.573 | 0.117 | 0.002 a |
Pharmacists should dispense generic brands, if patient agrees. | 0.221 | 0.121 | 0.099 | 0.921 | 0.413 | 0.598 | 0.420 | 0.028 |