Perception of generic medicines in the general population of Central India: A cross-sectional study
Mihir Dashottar, Ketan Ratanlal Dagdiya, Akanksha P. Dani, Sayali S. BhagatABSTRACT
Context:
Generic medicines are bioequivalent to their branded counterparts, and are potentially more affordable and accessible. As healthcare costs continue to soar in India, generic medicines are becoming popular as they have the potential to slash the costs of treatments. Despite their established efficacy and safety, there are growing concerns about their quality.
Aims:
To evaluate awareness of generic medicines in the general population. To assess the perceptions of the general population regarding the quality, efficacy, and cost of generic medicines.
Settings and Design:
A community-wide cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Central India.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional community-based survey was done among the general population of Central India. The study focused on the urban population with an age greater than 18 years who were eligible to buy medicines legally. The sample size was calculated to be 340, considering a 95% confidence interval and 5% allowable error. Ethical approval was received from the institutional ethics committee. The data was statistically analyzed by using the statistical software Epi Info version 7.2.2 after collection of data.
Results:
Three-fourths of the participants were aware of generic medicines. Only 17.5% were regular users of generics, and 37% rarely used them. Most participants thought generics were affordable, but there were misconceptions around their quality. About 60% of respondents considered generics equally effective as branded medicines. Many participants expressed that they wished healthcare providers would provide more information about generics.
Conclusion:
Improving the education of both the public and healthcare providers and implementing stricter quality control could help increase public confidence and, therefore, greater adoption and use of generic medicines.