The prescribing of generic medicines in Nigeria: knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of physicians

ABSTRACT

Generic medicines have the same efficacy and safety as originators at lower prices; however, there are concerns with their utilization in Nigeria. Objective was to evaluate physicians’ understanding and perception of generics. A questionnaire was administered among physicians working in tertiary healthcare facilities in four geo-political regions of Nigeria. Questionnaire response was 74.3% (191/257) among mainly males (85.9%). The mean knowledge score regarding generics was 5.3 (maximum of 9) with 36.6%, 36.1% and 27.2% having poor, average and good knowledge respectively. Cross-tabulation showed statistical significance (p = 0.047) with the duration of practice but not with position, subspecialty or sex. The majority of respondents did not believe that generic medicines are of lower quality than branded medicines. Therapeutic failure was a major concern in 82.7%, potentially discouraging the prescribing of generics, and a majority (63.9%) did not support generic substitution by pharmacists. Knowledge gaps were identified especially with the perception of generics, which need to be addressed.

KEYWORDS:

• Generics
• generic substitution
• Nigeria
• physicians’ knowledge and attitudes
• prescribing

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was funded through contributions from all co-investigators. The write up of this paper was in part support by the Karolinska Institutet as well as a VR-Link grant from Swedish Research Council (VR-Link 2013-6710). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.