Abstract
Generic medicines are central to containing healthcare costs and improving access to essential treatment. Despite sustained
government initiatives promoting their use in India, the acceptance and utilization of generic medicines remain limited. The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients and pharmacists regarding the use of generic and branded medicines. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted by convenience sampling among patients attending medical and dental outpatient departments in two Telugu-speaking states (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) and among pharmacists operating generic medicine outlets. Of 250 questionnaires distributed to patients, 233 were returned (response rate 93.2%); of 35 pharmacists approached, 33 completed the survey (94.3%). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics. Among the patients surveyed, 93.6% were aware that generic medicines can substitute for branded products and 88.0% understood the distinction between the two. Most respondents perceived generic medicines as more affordable than branded alternatives, and 70.8% indicated that they would recommend generic medicines to others. Pharmacists reported that approximately 63% of their customers preferred generic medicines and identified limited stock availability, negative public perceptions and inadequate patient knowledge as the principal barriers to wider uptake. Both patients and pharmacists demonstrated a generally positive level of awareness and acceptance of generic medicines. Nonetheless, limited availability, inadequate knowledge and persistent negative perceptions continue to constrain their widespread adoption, indicating clear targets for supply-side and educational intervention.
Keywords: Generic medicines; branded medicines; patient awareness; pharmacist perception; cross-sectional study