Engelsk titel: Generic substitution of drugs: experience and attitudes among pharmacy customers
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Författare:
Moen, Trine
;
Slördal, Lars
;
Spigset, Olav
Email: olav.spigset@legemidler.no
Språk: Nor
Antal referenser: 18
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 15103568
Sammanfattning
Background
Generic substitution of drugs was implemented in Norway in 2001. The aim of this study was to
evaluate how this is perceived among pharmacy customers.
Material and methods
A questionnaire was distributed to 359 customers who visited the pharmacy Apotek 1 in Bjugn,
Norway, to redeem a drug listed as generically substitutable by the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
Results
A total of 227 subjects (63 %) responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 84 % had previously
accepted generic substitution. Among these subjects, 16 % stated that the substituted drugs had
inferior efficacy, 20 % stated that they had caused more adverse drug reactions, 15 % stated that they
had been more complicated in use, and 16 % reported that generic substitution had lessened their
motivation for continuing therapy. Overall, 26 % were dissatisfied with generic substitution. Those
above 60 years of age were more dissatisfied. Compared to younger individuals, the elderly more
often experienced adverse effects after the substitution. Elderly also more often reported practical
problems related to the intake of the substituted drugs.
Conclusion
Although we have studied customers at only one pharmacy, our study indicates that the degree of
dissatisfaction with generic substitution is of a similar magnitude as in the years 2001-2008, when
previous Norwegian studies were undertaken.