Objective: Increasing expenses of health care burden, as regards to drugs especially is a growing concern. The stark variations in the prices of same medicines of different companies, is attributed the brand price quoted by the company. Medical council of India has made it mandatory that; drugs should be prescribed by their generic names only. However, perceptions of general populations about generic medications governs the use of generic medicines. This study provides an insight to the knowledge, attitude and practice of generic medicines use among  the general population of Pune region.  

Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in general population (n = 170) in Pune region. The sample was heterogenous as regards to educational and working status. They were interviewed using validated, structured questionnaire of 20 multiple choice questions, in two vernacular languages, to obtain information about knowledge, attitude and practice of generic drugs.

Results: Correct meaning of generic medicine was known by only 25% of the participants yet a large proprtion of them (87%) were aware of its low cost. 65% of the participants opined that improvement in quality control methods may boost the use of these drugs. Newspaper (58%) and internet (43%)  were the most common source of information about generic drugs.

Conclusion: Particpants had an idea but lacked detailed knowledge of generics which hindered the use of these drugs as against branded ones. Adequate and appropriate of information about these drugs provided by health care professionals may benefit the society at large.

Keywords: Generic drug, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice.

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Dr Smita Tiwari

Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology B. J. Govt. Medical College and SGH, Pune (Maharashtra) – India