Patients’ perspectives on generic substitution among statin users in Japan

Abstract

The study was undertaken to reveal the differences in statin users’ characteristics, the views on generic drugs between brand-name statin users and generic statin users, and the factors associated with being generic statin users. A questionnaire survey was conducted on patients visiting community pharmacies in order to have their prescriptions including statins dispensed. Respondents answered their views on the questionnaire items using a 5-point Likert-type scale, then answers were dichotomized. Odds ratios were calculated to analyze respondent’s views and respondents’ characteristics associated with being generic users. In total, 122 patients agreed to participate in the survey; with regard to respondent’s views associated with being generic statin users, those agreeing “I have a concern in switching any currently taken drugs to generic drugs” were less likely to be generic statin users [OR (95% CI): 0.13, (0.05–0.35)]. Respondents agreeing “generic drugs are less expensive than brand-name drugs” were more likely to be generic users [4.55, (1.77–11.67)]. No respondent’s characteristics were associated with being generic statin users. The majority of respondents agreed “I don’t mind taking the generic drugs that my physician prescribe”. With regard to how much cost savings would encourage them to substitute, 1000–1999 Japanese Yen per pharmacy visit was most often indicated by the respondents. A certain level of cost saving is necessary for patients to substitute. Physician-initiated substitution reduce patients’ concerns in switching. The introduction of a kind of policy to widen the price difference between brand-name drugs and generic drugs should be considered as one of the policy options.