EVALUATING PHYSICIAN’S AND PATIENT’S PERCEPTION AND CONCERN REGARDING GENERIC MEDICINES IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Generic medicines are cost-effective alternatives to branded counterparts, offering significant savings to 
patients and the healthcare system. However, their utilization is heavily influenced by the perceptions of key stakeholders: 
physicians (prescribers) and patients (consumers). This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and concerns of 
physicians and patients regarding generic medicines in a tertiary care teaching hospital. 
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in the Department of Pharmacology at 
BLDEU’s Shri B.M. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapura, over two months. A target sample 
size of 400 subjects (Medical Officers, Residents, Specialists, and Patients) was planned using a structured questionnaire 
for physicians and a vernacular interview for patients.  
Results: The response rate was 92.5% (n=370). Physicians (n=120) generally acknowledged generics' cost-effectiveness 
(85%) and bioequivalence (78%). However, a significant minority (45%) expressed concerns about the quality and 
manufacturing standards of generic products, and 55% were reluctant to prescribe them for life-threatening conditions. 
Patients (n=250) largely agreed that generics were cheaper (75%), but a majority (60%) believed generics had lower 
efficacy and quality compared to branded medicines. Only 30% of patients reported asking their doctor for a generic 
alternative. Both groups identified the lack of public awareness and physician preference for branded drugs as major 
barriers. 
Conclusion: Despite a baseline understanding of generic medicine's financial benefits, both physicians and patients in 
the tertiary care setting harbor significant concerns regarding quality, efficacy, and safety. Targeted educational 
interventions for both prescribers (emphasizing bioequivalence data) and consumers (addressing quality mistrust) are 
crucial to increase the rational utilization of generic medicines.