European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest growing industries. This industry has a significant impact on lives of everyone. Irrespective of any kind of status whether it is financial or demographic, this industry has the same impact on everyone. Increasing infections and proneness to diseases has considerably increased a person’s expenditure towards medicines. Non regulation of prices of pharmaceutical companies and increasing competition among various companies has made the prices of medicines to soar high. This necessitated some action so that medication could be affordable for everyone. Thus, the awareness relating to making the people aware of the chemical composition of the medicine was sought to be made. This resulted in the trend of generic medicine. This research has been undertaken to study the market penetration of generic medicines. This empirical study has been done on Tinsukia Town of Assam, India and is based on primary data collected from the respondents which included consumers as well as pharmacists of Tinsukia; through Schedules. A total of 100 consumers and 20 pharmacists were conveniently selected for the study. Secondary data had collected from various sources such as websites and online journals. Data analysis has been carried out using various tools of descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusions and recommendations have been based on data analysis.

Background: Generic drugs have an important place in health care because they are less expensive and mimic the original drug in terms of the active ingredients, dose, dosage form, and bioequivalence.The present study was conducted to assess patient perception about generic vs. branded medicine.
Materials & Methods: 120 patients of both genders were provided with a questionnaire was designedwhich comprised of knowledge about difference between generic and branded medicines, attitude for buying generic medicines over branded medicines and practice of taking generic medicines.
Results: Out of 120 patients, males were 55 and females were 65.71% have heard about generic medicine, 65% knew that there is price difference between generic and branded medicine, 68% prefer buying generic medicines over branded medicines, 30% have ever asked their doctor to prescribe generic medicines, 32% have demanded chemist to give generic medicines in place of branded medicines, 64% knew there a difference in the quality of generic medicine and branded variant, 61% knew that there a difference in the price of generic and branded medicines, the type of medicines doctors prefer to prescribe was generic medicines in 26% and branded medicinesin 74%, the drug chemist prefer to sell was generic medicines in 22% and branded medicinesin 78%, generic medicines in 80% and branded medicines in 20% were prescribed in this hospital, Indian government promote generic medicines in 45% and branded medicines in 55%, 32% were aware of any government rules regarding generic or branded medicines. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude about generic medicines among participants were poor.