KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF GENERIC MEDICATIONS AMONG FINAL YEAR DIPLOMA IN PHARMACY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

Introduction: The Diploma in Pharmacy programme in Malaysia equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to become proficient pharmacy assistants. Exploring their understanding of the knowledge and perceptions of generic medications is crucial for ensuring their readiness to contribute efficiently to healthcare settings. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using convenient sampling. This survey is designed to assess students' knowledge and perceptions of generic medications. Data was collected via Google Forms from final-year students undergoing hospital training in 13 hospitals across Malaysia. Results: The majority of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge about generic medications, scoring a mean of 3.62 (±0.537) on a 5-point Likert scale. Seventy percent of the students acknowledged the efficacy of generic medications as comparable to brand-name drugs. Moreover, students expressed confidence in distinguishing between brand-name and generic medicines, with 65.5% indicating perceived knowledge. Overall, students held positive perceptions regarding generic medications, scoring an average of 3.56 (±0.516) on the Likert scale. Conclusion: Final year Diploma in Pharmacy students in Malaysia exhibit satisfactory knowledge and positive perceptions of generic medications. This suggests that the curriculum effectively prepares students to understand and appreciate the existence of generic medication in healthcare settings. However, continuous education and reinforcement of the importance of generic medications could further help in enhancing students’ understanding and utilization of generic medications in the future.