Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists in relation to generic medicines in Palestine: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundGeneric substitution of medicines has become common practice in many countries and is considered to be a key method to contain pharmaceutical expenditure without compromising health-care quality. However, the safety and quality of generic products are of concern to health professionals. This study aimed to investigate community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in relation to generic medicines in Palestine. MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was carried out using a convenience sampling technique to distribute a data collection form to practicing pharmacists in the West Bank. In Palestine, the majority of pharmacists work in private retail pharmacies called community pharmacies. Other forms of professional pharmacy in Palestine include pharmacists in industry, in the regulatory governmental sector, and in hospitals and other clinical settings. Here, a sample of licensed community pharmacists completed the questionnaire, which consisted of four main sections: demographic and practice details of the participants, and their knowledge of, attitudes towards, and factors influencing their selection and dispensing of generic medicines. The Mann–Whitney U test or Kruskal–Wallis test were used, as appropriate. A p value of less than 0·05 was considered significant. FindingsA total of 302 community pharmacists were interviewed, of whom 52% (157 out of 302) were male. The participants' mean knowledge score in relation to generic medicines was 5·91 (SD 1·27), and the highest score was 8 out of 10 (the maximum possible score was 10). Knowledge score was not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic characteristics. Most pharmacists in the study (87%; 264 out of 302) agreed that they should be given the right to substitute with generic medicines, and the majority (62%; 188 out of 302) supported generic substitution for brand name drugs in all situations in which a generic medicine is available. The main two factors affecting pharmacists' selection and dispensing of generic medicines were personal faith in the product (86%; 260 of 302) and cost effectiveness of generic medicines (84%; 269 of 302). InterpretationParticipant community pharmacists in Palestine had basic knowledge with regard to generic medicines. In particular, their knowledge score pertaining to the technical and regulatory aspects of bioequivalence and pharmacokinetic parameters was insufficient. These data suggest a demand for interventions to develop pharmacists' awareness of these important matters underlying the safety, quality, and efficacy of generic medicines. FundingNone.