Original Research
Evaluating pharmacists’ views, knowledge, and perception regarding generic medicines in New Zealand

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2010.06.004Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Generic medicines are commonly used in New Zealand; however, Pharmaceutical Management Agency of New Zealand (PHARMAC) has indicated a need for better information to the public. Studies on consumers’ perceptions suggest that pharmacists play an important role in consumers’ choice; hence, “quality use of generic medicines” can be promoted with a better understanding of pharmacists’ views, knowledge, and perception.

Objectives

(1)To evaluate pharmacists’ perceptions, views, and knowledge of and willingness to recommend generic medicines. (2) To explore pharmacists perceptions of the safety, quality, and efficacy of generic medicines. (3) To assess pharmacists’ views on current policy with respect to substitution of generic medicines.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire was conducted, and questionnaires were sent to 625 randomly selected pharmacists from a list of 1594 pharmacists who had agreed to release their details for research purposes.

Results

Three-hundred and sixty pharmacists responded to the questionnaire (a response rate of 58%). Seventy percent of pharmacists stated there is no difference in safety between original brand and generic medicines. However, 65% stated that original brand medicines were of higher quality than their generic counterparts, and half stated that generic medicines and original brand medicines are equally effective. A large number of pharmacists reported concerns regarding brand substitution and offered suggestions, such as the need for advertising campaigns, patient pamphlets, updating prescribers’ software, and distinct packaging for generic medicines. It was found that pharmacists’ perceptions of generic medicines are primarily driven by PHARMACs policies and their experiences with consumers.

Conclusions

About one-third of pharmacists correctly defined the term “generic medicines,” suggesting discrepancies in pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions of generic medicines. Concerns were raised regarding: quality, safety, and effectiveness; however, most of the pharmacists acknowledged the economic benefits to the health care system.

Section snippets

New Zealand’s health care system

Medicines play a critical role in the health of New Zealanders, with 7 out of 10 New Zealanders using medicines.1 New Zealand has a publicly funded health care system, with government funding accounting for 78% of health care cost.2 The Pharmaceutical Management Agency of New Zealand (PHARMAC) is responsible for managing the pharmaceutical subsidy expenditure, particularly for pharmaceuticals accessed in primary care.2, 3, 4 New Zealand has been successful in containing medicine costs because

Study design

A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire was conducted across New Zealand between 22nd June 2009 and 20th July 2009. Survey research techniques have been widely used in the past to identify the views, beliefs, and attitudes of pharmacists on pharmacy-related issues. The advantages of quantitative research on a random sample of the population of interest are that it allows hypothesis testing that the generalizations can be made to the total population.41

Questionnaire development

Electronic databases Embase,

Results

Out of 625 pharmacists, 360 pharmacists responded to the questionnaire, a response rate of 58%.

Discussion

The pharmacists' demographics and other data in our study are very similar to the data from another New Zealand study44 and from the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.45 In our study the males accounted for 60% while females were 40%. Scahill et al found that in his study44 37% were males and 63% were females while the data from Pharmacy Council of NZ shows that among registered pharmacists in NZ 58% pharmacists are female.45 Similarities were also observed in the age range. In our study 47% of

Conclusion

Many pharmacists were in favor of a greater number of subsidized brands being made available for consumer choice, and consumer’s preference and stock availability were identified as key factors influencing generic substitution. Pharmacist’s perceptions toward generics are being primarily driven by PHARMACs’ policies and consumer experiences, and by the current laws regarding brand substitution. Community pharmacists believed brand substitution reduces their pharmacies profitability,

Acknowledgments

We would like to say thank you to Ms. Charon Lessing and Mr. Shane Scahill for reviewing the manuscript and for their helpful comments. We would also like to say thank you to Ms.Yanwei Pan.

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