A STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE ON THE USE OF GENERIC MEDICINES AMONG PATIENTS, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS & COMMON PEOPLE

Generic medicines have the same efficacy, route of administration, strength, indication and side effects as branded medicines. In spite of the lower price, generic medicines are not popular among healthcare professionals. The study’s objective was to explore knowledge, practice and experience in using generic medicines among patients, common people, & healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists and doctors). It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data analysis i.e. statistical testing for significance was carried out using SAS® 9.4 software. Considering data of N=605 participants, several data analyses were performed. Among all participants, 97% were heard about generic medicines. 50% of participants not agree with that “Generic medicines are trusted by BA/BE study”. Among participating doctors, 58% were not aware about BA/BE study on generic medicines. 27% of participants did not agree with that “performances of generic medicines are same as branded medicines”. 23% were not agreeing with that “Generic medicines are safe as branded medicines”. 89% of participants agreed, “Price of generics lower than the branded medicines”. 66.8% of participants not get all medicines at PM Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra’s. 37% of participants do not believe that “Generics having the same adverse effect as like branded medicines”. Among participants, a variation observed in knowledge, practice and experience on generic medicines. Therefore, the need for more awareness programs on generic medicine arises. The need for building trust among participating groups on generic medicines is essential.