2017 Volume 19 Issue 2 Pages 43-49
Objective: Generic drugs similar in appearance to their brand-name counterparts have both advantages and disadvantages. This study aimed to investigate patient preferences regarding the appearance of generic drugs.
Design: A cross-sectional survey.
Methods: We conducted a web-based survey between 2013 and 2014. Patients aged ≥40 years who reported taking prescription drugs for >6 months were asked to provide their opinions on the appearance of generic drug formulations and press-through packages (PTPs). Medical doctors and pharmacists were asked as to what type of appearance of generic drugs would be suitable as well as whether the appearance of these drugs and PTPs should be similar to that of their brand-name counterparts.
Results: A total of 911 patients, 238 pharmacists, and 81 medical doctors responded to the survey. Most of the patients (45.3%) surveyed reported that the similarity in the appearance of generic drug formulations and PTPs to those of their brand-name counterparts was not important, whereas only 15.6% of patients preferred generic drug formulations and PTPs similar in appearance to their brand-name counterparts. In contrast, most of the medical doctors (53.1%) and pharmacists (88.2%) reported that the appearance of generic drug formulations and PTPs should be similar to that of their brand-name counterparts.
Conclusion: Patients’ opinions on the appearance of generic drugs differ from what medical doctors and pharmacists perceive them to be. Therefore, health care professionals should select generic drugs with an appearance as per the individual patient’s preference.
