ArticleSaudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society2015
Perception and attitude of physicians toward local generic medicines in Saudi Arabia: A questionnaire-based study.
Article in Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Facilitators and barriers to generic and biosimilar medications in the Middle East and North Africa: insights from physicians and pharmacists-a systematic review.European journal of clinical pharmacology · 2025Pooled it
- Generic-reference and generic-generic bioequivalence of forty-two, randomly-selected, on-market generic products of fourteen immediate-release oral drugs.BMC pharmacology & toxicology · 2017Trial
- Bioequivalence trials for the approval of generic drugs in Saudi Arabia: a descriptive analysis of design aspects.BMC medical research methodology · 2024Article
- An exploration of factors influencing the selection of generic and innovator medicines in Saudi Arabia using an observational cross-sectional study.Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society · 2024Article
- Access to Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policy in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review.Integrated pharmacy research & practice · 2023Article
- Physicians' perceptions of generic drugs in China.Health policy OPEN · 2022Article
- Awareness and Knowledge of Pharmacists toward Biosimilar Medicines: A Survey in Jordan.International journal of clinical practice · 2022Article
- Attitude and Purchase Intention to Generic Drugs.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Opinion of primary care physicians regarding prescription of generic drugs: A Cross-sectional study.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2021Article
- Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Factors Influencing the Selection Student of Generic Medicine.Frontiers in public health · 2021Article
- Public knowledge, perception, and experience with generic medications in Saudi Arabia.Saudi medical journal · 2020Article
- Factors Influencing Prescribing Perceived Utility of Drugs: Experiences from Iraqi Kurdistan.Innovations in pharmacy · 2019Article
- Approval rating and opinion of outpatients and general practitioners toward generic drugs: a questionnaire-based real-world study.Patient preference and adherence · 2017Article
- Why the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Has Lost Its Steam in India?Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeuticsArticle
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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Abstract
objectivesThe current study aimed to explore the knowledge, perception, and attitude of physicians toward generic medicines in Saudi Arabia.
backgroundThe local market of generic medicine share in Saudi Arabia is low compared to global and regional statistics. The reason for this low market share and the role of physicians has not previously been investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess health practitioner level of perceived knowledge, opinions and attitudes about local generic medication, and identify factors that influence infrequency of generic prescriptions.
methodsA random sample of 231 physicians was recruited from two hospitals in Riyadh (one government one private) and 178 (77%) responded. Information on the physicians' perceived knowledge, opinions and attitude toward local generic medication was extracted, analyzed and interpreted. Factors that influence infrequent prescription of local generic drugs were identified.
resultsAmong the 178 participants in the physicians' survey, 76% and 47% reported that they are knowledgeable about the terms "generic" and "bioequivalence" respectively, while 44% reported that they are able to explain bioequivalence to their patients. Approximately 52% of physicians reported that local generics should be substituted for brands if suitable for the case, and 21.9% reported that they believe SFDA approved local generics are therapeutically equivalent to their brands. Clinical effectiveness was reported by 71.9% of physicians as the most influential factor effecting prescription of brand over local generic medication. The three independent significant predictors for infrequent prescription of local generics among physicians: Government sector employment (OR = 3.74, [95%CI 1.50-9.43]), consultant level (OR = 3.94, [95%CI 1.50-10.31]) and low level of knowledge about local generics (OR = 4.11, [95%CI 1.56-10.84]).
conclusionThe low market share of local generics medicines attributed to low prescription rates is significantly more among senior-level physicians working in governmental hospitals. Low level of knowledge about generic drugs among physicians was the strongest predictive factor for low prescription. Future bigger studies are needed to confirm these results.
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