A Web-Based Survey on Australian Community Pharmacists' Perceptions and Practices of Generic Substitution

Abstract

This study evaluated Australian community pharmacists' perceptions and practices of generic substitution in response to recent changes in generic medicines policy under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform. All community pharmacists in Australia were invited to participate in a web-based survey conducted in the year 2008 using a self-completed anonymous questionnaire. Useful responses were received from 157 community pharmacists. Of the respondents, 95.5 per cent indicated that their pharmacy had a policy that encouraged generic substitution. Most pharmacists (93.7 per cent) were willing to substitute generics for brand name medicines whenever permitted. Patient's acceptability and chronic diseases were the factors that significantly influenced the pharmacists to offer a generic substitute. Conversely, concern about patient confusion was the major barrier to generic substitution. Only 29.9 per cent of pharmacists firmly believed that substituting an originator brand with a generic would not have any effect on the therapeutic outcome. Around 13 per cent of respondents were somewhat concerned about side effects resulting from generic substitution. The majority of Australian pharmacists are highly supportive of generic substitution. There is need for an education programme to ensure pharmacists have a sound understanding of generic substitution before and following the implementation of any generic substitution policy by government.