Prescription of generic drugs in general practice. Results of a survey of general practitioners

Background and Purpose: Switching brand-name drugs to generics is reasonable and desired for economic reasons. Few data exist about problems, if any, during the switching in general practice. In this survey, the view of general practitioners (GPs) should be ascertained. Methods: GPs in five counties in the German federal states Thuringen and Baden-Wurttemberg, who took part in a study on generic drug prescribing, were asked to complete a questionnaire about experiences and attitudes toward generic drug prescription. Results: A total of 195 (84%) of 233 GPs answered the questionnaire. Two thirds (127/195) stated, that brands and generics are pharmacologically equivalent. Many of these GPs estimated to prescribe generic drugs in > 50% of instances; fewer doctors did so, if they had doubts as to the equivalence of generics (65% vs. 46%; p < 0.05). Nearly 8% reported generics being less effective, and 10% observed new adverse effects after switching. Many GPs appointed the following barriers: cooperation with hospitals and colleagues (86%), GP's lack of time (68%), and communication problems with the patient (50%). GPs estimated that > 10% of patients strictly reject generic drugs. Conclusion: An optimized cooperation between GPs and hospital physicians could facilitate the consumption of generic potential in pharmacotherapy. Reasons for the obvious contrast between the proven pharmacological equivalence of brand-name and generic drugs and the problems encountered after switching reported by GPs should be further studied.