Dispensing Pattern of Generic and Brand-Name Drugs in Children

Abstract

To describe the dispensing patterns of generic and brand-name drugs in children and to identify patient sociodemographic characteristics associated with generic drug use. We analyzed data from the 2002 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey. This survey is conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and consists of a nationally representative sample of civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. The 2002 survey included 14 828 families and 37 418 individuals, 11 099 of whom were children 0 to 17 years of age. Our unit of analysis was individual prescription drugs dispensed to children 0 to 17 years of age. The main dependent variable for the logistic model was the use of generic drugs. Independent variables included age, gender, race, insurance type, family income, Metropolitan Statistical Area status, and health status. Generic drugs were filled in 40.6% of the 24 465 prescriptions analyzed. Average expenditure for generic drugs was $20.92 (SD 24.53) per prescription versus $71.65 (SD $170.22) for brand-name drugs. Use of generic versus brand-name drugs varied by conditions and medication class. Uninsured patients were more likely than privately insured patients to have a generic drug dispensed than brand-name drugs (odds ratio [OR] 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.84). Asian children were more likely than white children to receive generic drugs (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.07-2.57). Girls were also more likely than boys to receive generic drugs over brand-name drugs (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.73). Generic drugs were dispensed more often to uninsured children, Asian children, and girls.