engleski

Analysis of Patients' Beliefs, Opinions and Attitudes towards Generic Drugs and Generic Substitution in Rebublic of Croatia

Introduction: The ever-increasing drug use and the consequent rise in healthcare cost led to the search for opportunities for cost reduction and savings. One of the cost-saving measures that can be taken without reducing the quality of healthcare is to increase the share of generic drugs. The launch of generic drugs on the market brings along, apart savings, a better availability of drugs to a wider range of patients in comparison with the brand-name drugs. The extent to which the policy of generic substitutions are effective depends on the actions taken not only by prescribers and pharmacists but also by patients. The aim of the study was to map and analyze patients' opinions and attitudes towards generic drugs after two years from its legislative embodiment in the Republic of Croatia. Material and Methods: The questionnaire consisted of questions concerning the issue of generic drugs from the patients' perspectives. All collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and correlations were tested by selected parametric tests. Results: A significantly high proportion of patients was generally confused (85%) about introductions of generic substitutions. Major issues related with generic medicines seem to be represented by diffuse skepticism about safety and therapeutical effects of generic drugs (73%). However, the frequency of patients opposing substitution was low (23%). Conclusions: For increasing generic medicine's prescription rate, patients needed more information and educational interventions because substitution is a collaborative act: it does not depend solely on the will of government regulation and experience of doctors and pharmacists.

generic drus; patients; education

nije evidentirano