[Generic drugs in morocco: survey of physicians]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge of physicians about generic drugs and their prescribing habits, with a view to making proposals for developing the use of generic drug in Morocco.

Methods: Prospective study conducted among 100 physicians working in different sectors, using a questionnaire comprising 14 questions. The points raised in this questionnaire focused on assessing the knowledge of physicians about generic drugs, their prescribing habits, and their point of view towards the rights of substitution.

Results: The prescription of generic medicines is more than 20% of drug prescriptions in less than half of doctors. For 68% of physicians, a generic is not always effective. When the definition of generic drug only 66% of physicians mentioned bioequivalence with the brand-name drug, and when the definition of bioequivalence, for almost half (51%) of physicians, a generic drug bioequivalent to the brand-name drug is a drug with the same half-life. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of the doctors prescribe generic drugs when lower cost is met. Seventy percent of physicians (70%) prescribe generics when bioequivalence is demonstrated with the brand-name drug. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of doctors are against the substitution because it presents an obstacle to their freedom of prescription.

Conclusion: In order to increase the use of generic drugs, better information for physicians is necessary. Other ways can be implemented, first establish the quality of Moroccan generic by bioequivalence studies and think about steps to put in place to encourage doctors and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense generic drugs, particularly the rights of substitution.