PMU99 - PERCEPTIONS OF THE GREEK POPULATION CONCERNING MEDICINES – A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

To assess the opinions of the Greek population concerning medicines in general and innovative ones, with regard to their safety and effectiveness, their contribution to health improvements and their role as a commodity. Primary data were extracted from the “Health and Welfare” health interview survey conducted by the Hellenic National School of Public Health and refer to year 2015. The study sample was representative of the Greek population and consisted of 2,003 adults. Participants were asked to state their level of agreement on statements over medicines in general and innovative ones in particular, on a scale of 1-10 (1=completely negative/disagree and 10=completely positive/agree). Mean agreement scores were estimated for each variable. Concerning medicines in general, mean score of agreement on their usefulness and importance was 8.31 (SD=2.106) and on their safety and effectiveness was 7.15 (SD=2.174). Regarding innovative medicines, mean score of agreement on their increased safety and effectiveness compared to older ones was 6.89 (SD=2.357). Mean agreement scores on whether innovative medicines are primarily developed to (a) improve the population health was 7.24 (SD=2.485), (b) address new life-threatening diseases was 7.67 (SD=2.295), (c) address chronic diseases was 7.78 (SD=2.129), (d) increase life expectancy was 7.33 (SD=2.477) and (e) increase quality of life was 7.55 (SD=2.336). Mean agreement score on whether medicines are mainly developed to create profits for the pharmaceutical industry was 8.92 (SD=1.770). Based on the results, perceptions concerning medicines are quite positive among the Greek population, since it is largely believed that they are useful, safe and effective, while their objective towards improving health indicators is recognized. However, the belief that innovative medicines are profit-oriented gathers the highest score among all the suggested objectives. Further investigation would be useful to understand the reasoning behind the population’s perceptions concerning medicines and the factors associated to it.