Generics and fixed-dose combinations in cardiology: satisfaction analysis of pharmacists and cardiologists

Figures & data

Figure 1. Graphic representation of characteristics regarding satisfaction.

Table 1. Evaluation scale meaning.

1	2	3	4	5
Absolutely disagree	Strongly disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Strongly agree	Absolutely agree

Table 2. Categorization of elements regarding effectiveness.

Question/elements	Pharmacists (f)	% positive evaluations by pharmacists	Physicians (d)	% positive evaluations by physicians
Do you consider that generic and original medicines:
(a) are equivalent in their effectiveness	Plus	81%	Plus	74%
(b) differ only in ingredients content	Secondary	82%	Key	80%
(c) have the same INN (API) and are fully interchangeable	Basic	82%	Key	78%

Note: International non-proprietary name (INN).

Figure 2. Graphic distribution of satisfaction with effectiveness.

Table 3. Categorization of elements regarding safety.

Question/elements	Pharmacists (f)	% positive evaluations by pharmacists	Physicians (d)	% positive evaluations by physicians
Do you consider that generic and original medicines:
(a) are equally safe	Basic	63.5%	Key	80%
(b) could be applied in the same therapeutic schemes	Secondary	82%	Plus	88%
(c) have the same frequency of adverse drug reactions	Key	84%	Secondary	78%

Figure 3. Graphic distribution of satisfaction with safety.

Figure 4. Graphic distribution of satisfaction with affordability.

Table 4. Categorization of elements regarding affordability.

Question/elements	Pharmacists (f)	% positive evaluations by pharmacists	Physicians (d)	% positive evaluations by physicians
Do you agree that the lower price of generic medicines:
(a) does not mean lower quality	Plus/secondary	62.5%	Secondary	56%
(b) is because of the lower production cost	Plus/secondary	64%	Basic	88%
(c) allows access for all people to therapy	Key	84%	Basic	98%

Table 5. Categorization of the elements of overall satisfaction with generics.

Question/elements	Pharmacists (f)	% positive evaluations by pharmacists	Physicians (d)	% positive evaluations by physicians
The main factor to prescribe/recommend generic medicine is:
(a) equal quality with original medicine	Plus	47.2%	Plus	58%
(b) equal safety with original medicine	Secondary	59.7%	Secondary	72%
(c) lower price than original medicine	Basic	81.3%	Key	94%
(d) patient income	Key	81.9%	Basic	94%
(e) patient compliance	Key/basic	61.3%	Basic	88%

Figure 5. Graphic distribution of satisfaction with generics.

Table 6. Categorization of elements for fixed-dose combinations.

Question/elements	Pharmacists (f)	% positive evaluations by pharmacists	Physicians (d)	% positive evaluations by physicians
Do you consider that the therapy with fixed-dose combinations is having advantages in comparison with monoproducts:
(a) in case when combination therapy is necessary	Basic	78.5%	Plus/secondary	100%
(b) in case when there is a risk of inappropriate administration	Basic	72.2%	Plus	100%
(c) to facilitate patients	Secondary	87.5%	Plus/secondary	94%
(d) to improve compliance	Key	66%	Key	90%
(e) for elderly on polytherapy	Basic	75.4%	Plus	92%

Figure 6. Graphic distribution of satisfaction with fixed-dose combinations.

Figure 7. Graphic distribution of patients' satisfaction.

Table 7. Categorization of elements linked to patients' agreement.

Question/elements	Pharmacists (f)	% positive evaluations by pharmacists	Physicians (d)	% positive evaluations by physicians
Do you consider that your patients agree with generic medicines' utilization?
(a) Yes, because they pay less.	Secondary	68%	Secondary	94%
(b) Yes, when they are well informed.	Plus/secondary	68.7%	Plus	68%
(c) No, because they doubt in their effectiveness.	Key	32.6%	Basic	12%

Figure 8. Graphic distribution of satisfaction with generic medicine policy.

Table 8. Categorization of elements regarding generic medicines policy.

Question/elements	Pharmacists (f)	% positive evaluations by pharmacists	Physicians (d)	% positive evaluations by physicians
According to you, is there a policy that stimulates the generic medicines utilization in the country?
(a) Yes, because more patients agree with generic medicines' prescribing.	Secondary	52.8%	Secondary	74%
(b) No, because companies informed physicians for originator products.	Basic	26.4%	Key	26%
(c) No, because patients are not well informed.	Basic/secondary	39.6%	Key	26%
(d) No, because there are no incentives for physicians/pharmacists.	Basic	35.6%	Basic	26%
(e) Yes, because health insurance fund reimburse the low priced generic.	Plus	62.5%	Plus	76%
(f) Yes, because there are many generic molecules available on the market.	Key/plus	58.9%	Plus	24%