An Exploratory Study of Generic Medicines in Urban Central Gujarat Region

Abstract

A questionnaire based survey study was conducted to understand the perception about the generic medicines in medical practitioner’s mind of urban Madhya Gujarat region precisely Vadodara, Dahod and Godhra. It was a questionnaire based study intended to understand exactly what medical practitioner thinks about generic medicines i.e. efficacy, quality, safety, availability, etc. The results of the study show that the doctors are not so clear and confident about these aspects regarding generic medicines. It was presumed by many doctors that generic medicines are inferior in quality than branded ones. Majority of doctors agreed upon the affordability issue when we talk about medicines. It was found that the doctors had lack of proper knowledge and awareness about generic medicines. In a country like India where you have out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare so high it is the urgent need of the hour to decrease it. Generic medicines are one of the most effective tools for that purpose. Creating awareness about generic medicines among the medical fraternity about generic medicines was felt necessary. Educational programs, Seminars and campaigns from the state side as well as from the generic medicine producer companies' side can be helpful for clearing doubts or myths about generic medicines among doctors. This very effort can really help to create a consensus for 'writing prescription by generic name only rule' for private medical practitioners also.