Patients' perceptions of generic drugs in Greece

- Despite the great publicity of generics nowadays, the largest proportion of patients in Greece have not used or do not know if they have used them.
- The reasons for refusing to use generics seem to be mainly the lack of trust in them, as well as the ignorance about what they are.
- Firstly the physician's and secondly the pharmacist's recommendation plays the most important role in a patient's decision to substitute his/her medicine with a generic.

The use of generic drugs is growing increasingly around the world and in Greece, in particular, in order to reduce pharmaceutical expenditure. However, patients' perceptions and attitudes about generics have only partially been studied so far in Greece.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the factors that influence the attitude of patients and consumers regarding generic drugs.MethodsA questionnaire survey of 364 patients visiting a pharmacy was conducted. The questionnaire consisted of 29 questions, including questions regarding their knowledge about generics, the reasons for using them, their previous experience, their willingness for generic substitution, and the factors behind these choices.ResultsNearly half of the participants in the survey know the term 'generic' and that it has a lower price compared to the brand name drug. Their views on safety and efficacy vary significantly and the main source of information on generics is the media and the internet. The lack of knowledge is the main barrier for attitudes of doctors. Health professionals play the most influential role for the substitution of a branded drug by a generic, followed by the cost of the generic.ConclusionsAlmost half of the patients know about generic drugs, with their lower price being the most popular feature which most patients are familiar with. It seems that primarily the doctor and, subsequently the pharmacist play the most important role in a patient's decision to replace his/her medicine with a generic.