E-DRUG: Prescribing practice of generics in the Philippines
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[I came across this discussion paper recently and thought that it might be of interest to some E-Druggers. DB - e-drug Moderator]
The Prevalence of Philippine Prescribing, Dispensing, and Use Behavior in Relation to Generic Drugs and their Risk Factors
Wong, John Q.,Baclay, J. Richelcyn M.,Duque, Richelle G.,Roque, Patricia Margarita S.,Serrano, Grace Kathleen T.,Tumlos, Jenina Olivia A.,Ronsing, Aisha-Aziza A.
http://www.pids.gov.ph/dp.php?id=5362
This study was designed to address the issue of compliance of physicians and drugstores to the
provisions of Generics Act of 1988. Furthermore, it aims to explore the
awareness of consumers on generic medicines to explain current trends
and practices in drug prescribing, dispensing, and use. The study
utilized a cross-sectional design. It is a descriptive study that
assessed four variables: generic drug prescription, generic drug substitution/dispensing,
price menu cards, and use of generic drugs.
The country was divided into six zones, namely: North Luzon, South Luzon,
NCR, Visayas, Mindanao, and ARMM. Stratified cluster random sampling was
used to identify which provinces and cities would be included in the study.
Data collection techniques used include the following:
a survey of consumers coming out of a drugstore (a total of 1,160
respondents), key informant interview of 30 physicians, and focus group
discussion with 6 to 11 patients/watchers per zone.
The survey
revealed that five out of six drugs were written with generic names,
with doctors in the public sector prescribing generics significantly
more often than those in the private sector. Factors that positively
affect generics prescribing behavior are patient`s welfare, compliance,
patient`s financial situation, and fear of punishment. Quality concerns,
lack of regulation by FDA, poor recall, patient`s preference, and personal experience are factors that negatively affect generics prescribing behavior.
Less than half of the consumers were offered with generic alternatives,
and even less number of consumers actually asked
for the alternative. There is preference for branded medicines over
generics. The consumers more likely to purchase generic medicines
consulted a public facility, knew the requirement to write generic name,
and was influenced by friends and relatives.
Because there is already high compliance from drug prescribers, government efforts should now
focus on the drugstores and consumers. Drugstore compliance should be
regularly monitored, and consumers empowered on their right to know
alternatives.
Bioequivalence tests should be done to finally put an end
to concerns on the quality of generic medicines.