E-ISSN 2231-3206 | ISSN 2320-4672
 

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
05 / 03 / 2020

 


A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center

Amit Vikram Singh, Alok Dixit, Avneesh Kumar, Devesh Pandey, Chandra Veer Singh, Asha Pathak.


Abstract
Background: Prescribing generic medicine is still a debatable issue among prescribers and the issues of bioequivalence, quality, and safety remain problem areas. The perception that generic medicines are inferior to brand medicine can be eradicated by educating medical students who are the future prescribers.

Aim and Objective: The correct knowledge of generic medicine among students will enhance the prescribing of low cost and effective medicines. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the knowledge and perception of generic medicines among undergraduates (UG), interns, and postgraduate (PG) students in a medical teaching institute.

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 medical students (145 UG, 50 interns, and 35 PG) in Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, to assess knowledge and attitude of students for generic medicines. Chi-square test was used to analyze results.

Results: About 98% of UG and interns and 100% of PG students were aware of generic medicines. Awareness of Jan Aushadhi Scheme is substantially poor in UG students as compared to interns and PG (P < 0.001). About 86% of student considered generic medicine of low cost, less effective (30%), poor quality (34%), and having more side effects (38%) as compared to branded medicine. Students believe product bonuses (28%) and advertisement (38%) by pharmaceuticals will alter their prescribing patterns in the future. About 71% of students (P < 0.001) consider that it is easier to remember a generic name and 89% of students (P < 0.001) wish to have further information regarding generic medicine in their medical curriculum.

Conclusion: Medical students lack comprehensive knowledge and carry erroneous impressions for generic medicine. There is a need for more emphasis regarding generic medicine in UG medical curriculum. This will augment rational prescribing and cost-effective use of generic medicine in the future.

Key words: Bioequivalence; Brand Medicine; Cost-Effective; Generic Medicine; Rational Prescribing


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Singh AV, Dixit A, Kumar A, Pandey D, Singh CV, Pathak A. A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(4): 338-343. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020


Web Style

Singh AV, Dixit A, Kumar A, Pandey D, Singh CV, Pathak A. A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=85956 [Access: March 14, 2024]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Singh AV, Dixit A, Kumar A, Pandey D, Singh CV, Pathak A. A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(4): 338-343. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Singh AV, Dixit A, Kumar A, Pandey D, Singh CV, Pathak A. A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2020), [cited March 14, 2024]; 10(4): 338-343. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020



Harvard Style

Singh, A. V., Dixit, . A., Kumar, . A., Pandey, . D., Singh, . C. V. & Pathak, . A. (2020) A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 10 (4), 338-343. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020



Turabian Style

Singh, Amit Vikram, Alok Dixit, Avneesh Kumar, Devesh Pandey, Chandra Veer Singh, and Asha Pathak. 2020. A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 10 (4), 338-343. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020



Chicago Style

Singh, Amit Vikram, Alok Dixit, Avneesh Kumar, Devesh Pandey, Chandra Veer Singh, and Asha Pathak. "A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 10 (2020), 338-343. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Singh, Amit Vikram, Alok Dixit, Avneesh Kumar, Devesh Pandey, Chandra Veer Singh, and Asha Pathak. "A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 10.4 (2020), 338-343. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Singh, A. V., Dixit, . A., Kumar, . A., Pandey, . D., Singh, . C. V. & Pathak, . A. (2020) A cross-sectional study to compare knowledge and perception of generic medicine among medical students at a tertiary care center. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 10 (4), 338-343. doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.02037202026022020