ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACISTS AND PHYSICIANS TOWARD GENERIC MEDICINE USE IN PRIVATE CLINICS AND DISPENSARY OF MEKELLE CITY, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

Hayelom Gebrekirstos, Abadi Kidanemariam* and Gebremedhin Gebrezgiabher

ABSTRACT

Background: The use of generic drugs has increased significantly in recent years. Since generic drugs are available at a lower cost, they provide an opportunity for saving in drug expenditure. Thus, use of generic drugs is encouraged especially in developing countries. There are only a few studies concerning the perceptions and attitudes of the healthcare providers towards generic drug use in Ethiopia and study area, Mekelle. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of health professionals towards generic medicines Mekelle city. Method and Material: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted between May –June 2015 in private Pharmacy and Hospitals of Mekelle City. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire by pharmacy professional, one pharmacist and physician from all in private dispensary and clinic were included in the study (49 pharmacy and physicians). Data was described using frequency, percentage and graphs. Association was examined between Socio-demographic variables with knowledge and perception of professionals. Result: Of all the participants 31(63.3%) were male and majority, 38(77.6%) were graduated within the range of 2000-2006 year. From all the pharmacists and physicians 17(34.7%) strongly disagree, 12(24.5) disagree, 10(20.40%) agree with the generic drugs have more side effects than brand drugs. Regarding substitution of generic drugs, 28.6% participants had no idea about the issue. Of all respondents 51.10% believe as generic and brand drugs are totally similar. On non- parametric examination having a postgraduate physicians had significantly associated with strongly agreeing on the issue of generic has less effect than brands (P=0.018).In addition, postgraduate physicians and a strongly agree with patients prefer original brands than generics (p=0.023) Conclusion: our study revealed as there were gap on knowledge and perception of pharmacists and physicians towards generic and brand drugs. Especially postgraduate physicians have an effect on influencing patient’s preference, achieving quality use of medicines by working together with pharmacists and negative perception on the effect of generics. Hence developing a clear standard guideline on generics and brand substitution and Awareness creating activities and routine training seemed to be necessary to fill the gap in knowledge and perception of physicians and pharmacy so as to reduce unnecessary expenditure.

Keywords: knowledge, attitude, practice, health professionals, Generic medicines, Mekelle city.