Exploring the knowledge and perception towards generic medicines among undergraduate medical and nursing students – A questionnaire-based comparative study

ABSTRACT

Background: Healthcare providers are still hesitant in prescribing generic medicines due to several misconceptions about bioequivalence, efficacy, quality, and safety of generic medicines as compared to their branded counterparts. Proper teaching and training help in positive changes in perception as well as the prescribing and dispensing practices of healthcare providers. Aim and Objectives: The aims of this study were to study the knowledge and perception about the generic medicine among 2nd year MBBS and nursing students and to find out the differences between the student’s responses. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted involving 83 2nd year MBBS students and 60 2nd year nursing students in Bundelkhand Medical College, Sagar (M.P.), India. Assessment of knowledge and perception about generic medicines using the normal 5-point Likert scale and calculation using the independent-samples Mann–Whitney U-Test and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for differences observed among the two groups. Results: Only 33% of MBBS students and 17% of nursing students were select correct answer for bioequivalence limits. Almost 82% of MBBS and 53% of nursing students were agreed toward generic medicines are less expensive than brand name medicines (P = 0.00). Only 45% of MBBS students and 15% of nursing students were disagreed toward generic medicines are of inferior quality to branded drugs (P = 0.001). About 37% of MBBS students and 20% of nursing students were disagreed toward generic medicines are less effective and less safe than brand name medicines (P = 0.01) and only 12% of MBBS students and 7% of nursing students were disagreed toward brand name medicine which are required to meet higher safety standards than generic medicines (P = 0.09). Conclusion: In our study, we found that significant knowledge gap with regard to the regulatory bioequivalence limits for generic medicines and misconceptions about generic drugs is also quite prevalent. Educational interventions are most important tool to improve knowledge and change in perceptions among healthcare students about generic medicines and eventually promote practice of prescribing cost-effective generic drugs.