A Cross-sectional Analysis of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students' Knowledge and Attitudes about the Use of Generic Medications

Abstract

Background: Some people are worried about generic medicines because this are much cheaper than brand-name medicines. They think that generic medicine compromises in terms of quality and effectiveness because it is cheap. But according to the FDA's (U.S. Food and drug administration) requirements, generic medicines must be as safe and effective as brand-name medicines. In fact, generic medicines are much cheaper because manufacturers do not have to spend extra money to develop and market a new drug. Upon expiration of the patent, manufacturers may apply to the FDA to produce and sell generic versions of the drug. Although the production and sale of generic versions of medicines are already in vogue in different countries of Europe and America, India is also doing well in this sector. In Bangladesh most of the company manufacture generic medicine but in ground level people doesn’t have much more good knowledge. That’s why people may have various misconceptions and rumours, so the main purpose of this study is to know the attitudes of people towards generic medicine, to take their feedback and to analyse them. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess and analysis of undergraduate pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitudes about the use of generic medications. Method: A cross-sectional online based survey preform form March to May 2021, among the undergraduate pharmacy students at Daffodil International University in Bangladesh. A 25-item questionnaire was developed, validated and administered on the participant. 100 students are responded to this survey. Results: The majority of person (93%) claimed that they knew about generic drugs. And most person (47%) get information from their teachers. There was a misconception among respondents about the concepts of "efficacy", "safety", "bio-equivalence", and "manufacturing standards" of generic medications, 76% believed that generic medications are bioequivalent to brand-name medicines. One the other hand 29% said that generic medications are less effective than brand-name medicines. 71% believe that a standard guidance required for both GPs and pharmacists on the brand substitution process. Furthermore, advertisements and product bonuses offered by pharmaceutical industry, patient’s socio-economic factors also as credibility of manufacturers were factors reported to influence their selection of medicine. Conclusion: Although it has emerged that students have widely accept the use of generic medicine, they still have concerns about the reliability and quality of such products. Students need to be educated and reassured about bio-equivalence, quality and safety of generic product approval system in Bangladesh. The current research has important implications for establishing generic medicine policies in Bangladesh.