El-Dahiyat Faris, Kayyali Reem
Pharmacy Department, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom.
J Pharm Policy Pract. 2013 Jun 13;6:3. doi: 10.1186/2052-3211-6-3. eCollection 2013.
The aim of this study was to explore Jordanian patients' perceptions toward generic medicines and to evaluate their opinions regarding generic substitution.
A cross-sectional descriptive study involving Jordanian patients was undertaken, using a self-administrated anonymous questionnaire. The response rate was 80% (n=400/500).
The study showed that cost of medicines is high according to 83% of the patients. Most patients (92%) preferred to be prescribed the cheapest medicine. Majority of patients (79%) believed that cost should be considered before a drug is prescribed. Most patients (78%) accepted generic substitution and believed that it can provide significant saving. Surveyed patients (78%) agreed that they should have the option of choosing between generic and originator and 74% believed that physicians should give them that choice. These results showed a significant statistical correlation with the monthly income of the patient, percentage cost they pay and number of medicines prescribed (P<0.05).
The high cost of medicines in Jordan is believed to be the main driver for choosing generic medicines Furthermore; patients have positive attitudes towards generic medicines. The involvement of patients in the treatment decision would result in more adherence and improvement in health. The insights gained from patients in this study will be useful to health organisations and policy makers to design a robust generic policy to use medicines cost-effectively in Jordan.
本研究旨在探究约旦患者对仿制药的看法，并评估他们对仿制药替代的意见。
采用自行填写的匿名问卷，对约旦患者进行了一项横断面描述性研究。回复率为80%（n = 400/500）。
研究表明，83%的患者认为药品费用高昂。大多数患者（92%）更倾向于被开最便宜的药。大多数患者（79%）认为在开药前应考虑费用。大多数患者（78%）接受仿制药替代，并认为这能节省大量费用。接受调查的患者（78%）同意他们应该有在仿制药和原研药之间进行选择的选项，74%的患者认为医生应该给予他们这种选择。这些结果与患者的月收入、他们支付的费用百分比以及所开药品数量存在显著的统计学相关性（P<0.05）。
约旦药品费用高昂被认为是选择仿制药的主要驱动因素。此外，患者对仿制药持积极态度。患者参与治疗决策将导致更高的依从性和健康状况的改善。本研究从患者那里获得的见解将有助于卫生组织和政策制定者制定强有力的仿制药政策，以便在约旦有效地使用药品。
