Generic Medicines: Perceptions of General Practitioners in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate factors affecting generic medicine prescribing among general practitioners (GPs) in Melbourne, Australia. A qualitative approach was used. A convenience sample of GPs practising in Melbourne was interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic content analysis of the interviews identified seven major themes: medicine prescribing patterns, knowledge and confidence with generic medicines, patient acceptance of generic medicines, issues related to ‘pseudo-generics’ and medicine labelling, drug advertising and marketing, brand substitution by community pharmacists and, finally, strategies to increase generics prescribing. Informants suggested some methods that could be used to increase the current rate of generics prescribing, including financial reward for GPs, patient education on generic medicines, convincing GPs of the safety and efficacy of generic medicines and educating senior medical students on issues involving generic medicines and generics prescribing. This study suggested that GPs in Melbourne have mixed attitudes to generics prescribing. The findings also show that misconceptions about safety and efficacy of generic medicines still persist among some GPs. Unless they are sufficiently educated by interested parties, such as the government and the generic medicines industry, this will have a negative impact on utilisation of generic medicines in future.