Abstract

*Roshi, Sapna Gupta, Brij Mohan Gupta, Vishal R. Tandon

ABSTRACT

Background: The assessment of doctors’ perceptions and understanding about generic medicines may help in recognizing possible barriers to greater generic medicine usage. The primary objective of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of doctors toward generic medicines. Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary-care teaching hospital of Jammu. The questionnaire was designed to assess the KAP about generic medicines. The doctors working in this institute during the study period were included. Results: All the participants had fair idea about generic medicines and Jan Aaushadi scheme, maximum (92.7%) of them knew about the Jan Aaushadi store near the hospital. 90.9% of the participants had knowledge about the cost of generic medicine. Only 72.7% knew about the bioequivalence studies being conducted. Only 36.36% of the doctors had an attitude that generic medicine should be prescribed over branded medicine. No one among the participants had an attitude that generic medicines are for poor. 97.2% of the participants were of the attitude that continuous monitoring should be done to see the efficacy and safety of generic medicines. 99% of the doctors said that they prescribe generic medicines, 18.18% of them used to read articles comparing efficacy and safety of generic and branded medicines. Conclusion: The study showed that the doctors were well aware of generic medicines and Jan Aushadhi scheme of Govt. of India. It was also observed that efficacy, safety and quality profile of the medicine were the most important factors considered by doctors when they prescribe drugs.