Table 3 Community pharmacists’ attitude towards the quality and prices of locally manufactured generic medicines
Question | Survey questions/Statement | Frequency (%) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | No answer | |||||||
1 | Locally manufactured generics are equal in their quality compared to the imported generics. | 71 | (35.9) | 23 | (11.6) | (0) | 78 | (39.4) | 22 | (11.1) | 4 (2.0) | |
2 | Locally manufactured generics are equal in their safety and efficacy compared to the imported generic. | 24 | (12.1) | 75 | (37.9) | 4 | (2) | 83 | (41.9) | 8 | (4) | 4 (2.0) |
3 | Manufacturers of local generic products have a reliable logistic and supply system. | 56 | (28.3) | 84 | (42.4) | 16 | (8.1) | 28 | (14.1) | 9 | (4.5) | 5 (2.5) |
4 | I prefer to stock and dispense locally manufactured generics because the companies provide good bonus scheme compared to suppliers importing them. | 46 | (23.2) | 53 | (26.8) | 6 | (3) | 77 | (38.9) | 11 | (5.6) | 5 (2.5) |
5 | Credibility of the generic manufactures/suppliers are my concern when stocking medicines in my pharmacy. | 103 | (52) | 61 | (30.8) | 3 | (1.5) | 23 | (11.6) | 2 | (1) | 6 (3.0) |
6 | I will only stock locally manufactured product which is well advertised through medical representatives and medicine related references. | 117 | (59.1) | 42 | (21.2) | 6 | (3) | 20 | (10.1) | 8 | (4) | 5 (2.5) |
7 | Imported generics need to pass more stringent approval process compared with locally manufactured ones. | 98 | (49.5) | 75 | (37.9) | 9 | (4.5) | 9 | (4.5) | 3 | (1.5) | 4 (2.0) |
8 | Locally manufactured generics are cheaper compared to imported generics. | 121 | (61.1) | 43 | (21.7) | 5 | (2.5) | 19 | (9.6) | 6 | (3) | 4 (2.0) |
9 | Locally manufactured generics are affordable to be purchased in comparison to imported generics. | 55 | (27.8) | 60 | (30.3) | 6 | (3) | 21 | (10.6) | 51 | (25.8) | 5 (2.5) |
10 | I believe we need to establish brand substitution policy in Afghanistan. | 132 | (66.7) | 28 | (14.1) | 7 | (3.5) | 16 | (8.1) | 10 | (5.1) | 5 (2.5) |
11 | The Afghan Drug Regulatory Authorities need to convince pharmacists that registered locally manufactured generics are of high quality and standards. | 133 | (67.2) | 46 | (23.2) | 8 | (4) | 4 | (2) | 2 | (1) | 5 (2.5) |