Abstract

Khan Mohammad Uzair, Abubaker Siddiq* and Abdul Munaf S.

ABSTRACT

Generic medicines are generally less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. Many doctors oppose brand substitution and believe generic medicines to be inferior to their branded counterparts. Physician perceptions about generic drugs may affect their acceptance of generic drugs. According to a recent systematic review about one-quarter of physicians and pharmacists expressed negative perceptions about the safety and side effects of generic medicines. In India, there was strong opposition when plans were proposed to introduce generic substitution into primary care. The objectives of this study was to assess the perception of knowledge in healthcare professionals and students about branded and generic antibiotics, to assess whether healthcare professional and students are likely to move from branded to generic antibiotics and also to assess the perception of effects and benefits of branded and generic antibiotics. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. It was conducted among the Medical and Dental students and healthcare professionals of Chitradurga. The study was carried for a period of six months. About 93.3% of participants were aware of branded and generic antibiotics. But when we conducted a study in brief, we analyzed that the majority of participants have knowledge but in inappropriate manner. We also identified that more than 50% of participants have false belief, lack of knowledge and trust issue. The results are concluded that with our interventions, we found that we could able to improve knowledge regarding appropriate use of branded and generic antibiotics. They are not willing to improve their knowledge regarding branded and generic antibiotics.