A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Generic Medicines Among Patients and Healthcare Professionals at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Generic medicines are therapeutically equivalent, lower-cost alternatives to innovator brands and are central to improving access to treatment in India, where a large share of health spending is paid out of pocket. Their uptake, however, depends on how patients, prescribers, pharmacists and nurses understand and perceive them.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding generic medicines among patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) at a tertiary care teaching hospital, and to identify factors associated with knowledge.

Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted over six months among 200 outpatients and 200 HCPs (100 doctors, 60 nurses and 40 pharmacists) selected by convenience sampling. Validated, pre-tested, structured questionnaires were used. Knowledge, attitude and practice were scored and categorised. Data were analysed with SPSS version 25 using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test; p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean age of patients was 41.6 ± 13.8 years and 54.0% were male. Although 69.0% of patients had heard of generic medicines, only 21.0% had good knowledge, 42.0% had a positive attitude, and 52.0% had ever used a generic medicine. Higher education (p < 0.001) and urban residence (p = 0.023) were significantly associated with good knowledge. Among HCPs, 58.5% had good knowledge and 64.0% had a positive attitude; knowledge differed significantly by profession (pharmacists 77.5%, doctors 62.0%, nurses 40.0%; p = 0.004). Only 38.0% of doctors always prescribed by generic name. The commonest barriers were doubts about quality (37.0%), non-availability in the hospital pharmacy (33.0%) and habit (30.0%).

Conclusion: Knowledge of generic medicines is inadequate among patients and uneven among HCPs, and concerns about quality and availability continue to limit generic use. Structured counselling, continuing education for HCPs, assured quality and reliable availability of generics are needed to translate policy intent into practice.