TY - BOOK AU - Wagle,Subash. TI - Exploring community pharmacists and drug retailers knowledge and perception regarding generic medicine in Dharan, Nepal PY - 2019/// KW - Community Pharmacist KW - Generic KW - Brand KW - knowledge KW - Perception KW - Bioequivalence KW - Drug Retailers KW - Nepal N1 - Thesis Report N2 - ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The practice of generic medicines prescribing, dispensing and substitution in developing countries has been controversial among healthcare professionals, particularly due to issues on quality, safety and efficacy. These controversies are as a result of inter-country differences in policies and laws as well as individualized knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists pertaining to generic medicines. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess and evaluate the knowledge and perception and willingness to recommend generic medicines by pharmacists that are located within the Dharan, Nepal and as well as to explore pharmacists' and drug retailers knowledge and perceptions towards the quality, safety and efficacy of generic medicines. In addition, the study also assessed pharmacists' views on current policy with respect to substitution of generic medicines as well as to determine if these views vary in the different practice settings. Finally the study assessed pharmacists' views on the pricing system of generics as well as their opinion on promotion of these medications. METHOD: A descriptive observational and cross-sectional survey was carried out in CPs of Dharan. By employing a self-developed self- administered questionnaire. The questionnaire had three sections: First is the demographic details which included the gender of the respondent, age, educational qualification, position, years of practice of the participants, and second part contained the questions for knowledge of generic medicines and third part contained the questions on perception of generic medicines which was measured by using LIKERT Scale, and perception and the influencing factors related to selection and dispensing of generic medicines. A randomized sampling technique was implemented in this study in which the data collection form was distributed in retail community pharmacies of Dharan among a set of practicing pharmacists and drug retailers. Both descriptive and analytic statistic were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 77 community pharmacists and drug retailers responded to the questionnaire (a response rate of 58.33%). 68% of pharmacists stated there is no difference in safety between original brand and generic medicines. Majority of respondents (74%) believed that generic medicines are therapeutically equivalent to the original medicines. However, 39% of pharmacists stated that original medicines are of a better quality than their generic counterparts. A large number (more than 60%) of pharmacists reported concerns of bioequivalence as their main problem when switching to a generic medicine. Majority of Pharmacists in the Dharan had a positive outlook on generic medication and supported and encouraged its use. Drug retailers had some what low knowledge and wrong perception regarding the generic medicines as compared to pharmacy professionals. Concerns were raised however, regarding quality, safety, and effectiveness of generic medicines as well as doubts in the reliability of certain generic manufacturing companies. Pharmacists' as well as drug retailers wrong opinions could negatively impact generic medicine perspective in Nepal, therefore continuing education and awareness campaigns should be implemented in order to re-confirm pharmacists' and drug retailers knowledge of generic medicines being bioequivalent and of equal quality to branded medicines. KEYWORDS: Community Pharmacist, Nepal, Generic, Brand, knowledge, Perception, Bioequivalence, Drug Retailers UR - http://nhrc.gov.np/contact/ ER -