[Patients' experiences with and attitudes to generic substitution].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess patient experiences with and attitudes to generic substitution.


METHODS
Patients who had purchased three to seven, or eight or more, different prescription medicines during the last six months were compared. Both groups were mailed a questionnaire about generic substitution.


RESULTS
The response rate was 73% (281/386), the average age of respondents was 66. There was a correlation between patients remembering that information had been provided by their physicians and subsequent generic substitution. Out of 138 patients who had experienced generic substitution, 50 patients (36%) reported one or more negative experiences, 21% an altogether negative experience. About 41% of the patients would not switch given no personal economic insertives. There were no significant correlations between experiences with generic substitution and age, gender, number of different drugs used, information provided by the physician or by the pharmacy staff.


CONCLUSIONS
About 78% of the patients are satisfied with generic substitution although 1/3 report one or more negative experiences. In order to raise patient satisfaction, there is a need for increased economic incentives and a strategy whereby physicians, pharmacies and official authorities cooperate on information to the public.
Institutt for apotekforskning AS, Postboks 5070 Majorstua, 0301 Oslo. inge.kjonniksen@sykehusapotekene.no
Inge
I
Kjønniksen
Morten
M
Lindbaek
Anne Gerd
AG
Granås
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016527:Drug Costs; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D016568:Drugs, Generic