Salmane Kulikovska Ieva, Poplavska Elita, Ceha Marija, Mezinska Signe
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Str., Riga, LV1007 Latvia.
2Faculty of Pharmacy and Institute of Public Health, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Str., Riga, LV1007 Latvia.
J Pharm Policy Pract. 2019 Jan 6;12:1. doi: 10.1186/s40545-018-0159-5. eCollection 2019.
To stimulate use of generic medicines a combination of supply and demand side mechanisms are employed in the Latvian reimbursement system. It is reported that patients have high out-of-pocket pharmaceutical spending and that they overpay by not choosing generic medicines. Patient preferences may be an important obstacle in implementing generic policy. Objective of this study was to assess awareness, opinions and experience of the Latvian population regarding use of generic medicines.
Survey of representative sample of the population of Latvia ( = 1005) aged 18-74 was conducted in March 2015. The survey was distributed in Latvian and Russian languages using Computer Assisted Web Interviews. Associations between experience with generic medicines, preference for medicines, and sociodemographic variables were tested with Pearson Chi-square statistics. Associations between the previous experience and information given by different sources versus choice between medicines were tested with Spearman's correlation test.
72.3% of the population were informed about generic medicines. Men (66.9%) and respondents with primary or secondary education (58.3%; 69.3%) were less informed compared to total (72.3%). From those who recalled using generic medicines ( = 441), 94.4% evaluated their experience as positive or neutral. Despite this, only 21% of the population would opt for generic medicines. The strongest preference for brand-name medicines was in the age group > 55 (40.5%). Opinion of a physician was the most important factor when choosing between generic and brand-name medicines (88.7%). The more positive the information provided by general practitioners, physician specialists, pharmacists, family members, friends and internet is perceived, the more likely respondents are to choose generic medicines ( < 0.001).
This study demonstrates that people in Latvia are aware of generic medicines but only a minority of the population would choose them when presented with a choice. It is therefore important that health care professionals provide objective and unbiased information about generic medicines to their patients. Interventions should aim to reach groups that are less informed and to improve providers' understanding and communication with patients about generics.
为促进仿制药的使用，拉脱维亚报销体系采用了供需双方机制相结合的方式。据报道，患者自付药费较高，且因未选择仿制药而多支付了费用。患者偏好可能是实施仿制药政策的一个重要障碍。本研究的目的是评估拉脱维亚民众对仿制药使用的认知、看法和体验。
2015年3月对拉脱维亚18 - 74岁具有代表性的1005名民众样本进行了调查。该调查通过计算机辅助网络访谈以拉脱维亚语和俄语进行发放。使用Pearson卡方统计检验仿制药使用体验、药品偏好与社会人口统计学变量之间的关联。使用Spearman相关检验来检验不同来源提供的先前经验和信息与药品选择之间的关联。
72.3%的民众知晓仿制药。与总体情况（72.3%）相比，男性（66.9%）以及接受小学或中学教育的受访者（58.3%；69.3%）知晓程度较低。在那些回忆起使用过仿制药的人中（n = 441），94.4%将他们的体验评价为积极或中性。尽管如此，只有21%的民众会选择仿制药。55岁以上年龄组对品牌药的偏好最为强烈（40.5%）。在选择仿制药和品牌药时，医生的意见是最重要的因素（88.7%）。全科医生、专科医生、药剂师、家庭成员、朋友和互联网提供的信息被认为越积极，受访者选择仿制药的可能性就越大（P < 0.001）。
本研究表明，拉脱维亚民众知晓仿制药，但在有选择的情况下只有少数人会选择它们。因此，医疗保健专业人员向患者提供关于仿制药的客观且无偏见的信息非常重要。干预措施应旨在覆盖知晓程度较低的群体，并提高医疗服务提供者对仿制药的理解以及与患者的沟通。
