Affiliation:
1. Department of Pharmacology, IMS, BHU, Varanasi.
Abstract
Those medicines which are having same efficacy as that of their branded and expensive counterparts are known as Generic medicines. Compare to branded medicines, generic medicines have similar route of administration, indication, side effects, strength. Contrary to lower price and affordability the generic medicines are not so popular among healthcare professionals. The objective of this study is to analyse, knowledge and experience on use of generic medicines among healthcare professionals. A pilot study was conducted at Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) Banaras Hindu University Varanasi India. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. The participants were doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others (research scholars and PG students). Chi square test used to find out p value. The overall response rate was 84.61 percent (55/65). Among all participants 12.7 percent did not “heard about Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra”. Among all participants only 40 percent were not aware about Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra situated in their area. Among all participants 72.73% aware about safe generic medicines, while among participant groups 60% of participating doctors, all nursing and pharmacy professionals and 72% of others accepted that generic medicines are safe as like branded medicines. A variation observed in respect of knowledge, and experience on generic medicines among participants. 40% (percent) of participating doctors did not believe in generic medicines and opted that the generic medicines are not safe as like branded medicines. Therefore, need for more training/awareness programmes on generic medicine arises. Need for building trust among healthcare professionals on generic medicines required.
Subject
Pharmacology (medical),Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (miscellaneous)
Reference20 articles.
1. Vishwanath J. Availability, Affordability and Accessibility to Patented and Generic Medicines for Treating Life Threatening Diseases in India: An Assessment. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Reseach. 2016;6(3):145. doi.org/10.5958/2231-5691.2016.00021.6
2. Verma RK. Generic Medicines : Core Issues and Legal Mechanism. International Journal of Reviews and Research in Social Science Research. 2019;07(02):405–14. doi.org/10.5958/2454-2687.2019.00033.9
3. Minutes of the 71st Meeting of Drugs Technical Advisory Board held on 13th May, 2016 at CDSCO, HQ, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi. Available on https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/system/modules/CDSCO.WEB/elements/common_download.jsp?num_id_pk=Nzcx
4. Message From the CEO BPPI. Available on http://janaushadhi.gov.in/mesgceo.aspx
5. Functions of CDSCO, DGHS Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Available on https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/About-us/Functions/