Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To determine therapeutic compliance when brand name amlodipine and simvastatin are substituted for generic drugs, and to determine patients' and physicians' opinions of this substitution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an observational study with a control group, based on a review of the medical records in six primary care centers. Participants consisted of patients ≥ 40 years old initiating treatment with a brand name drug (initial period), which was later substituted by a generic drug (final period). The study subgroups consisted of patients with hypertension ( amlodipine) or dyslipidemia ( simvastatin). The main measures were comorbidity, compliance, treatment length, biochemistry determinations, and patients' and physicians' opinions (interviews). All patients received a brand name drug for a minimum of 1 year followed by a generic drug for a minimum of 1 year (minimum continuation/patient: 24 months). RESULTS: There were 1,252 patients (groups: 49.5% amlodipine; 50.5% simvastatin). Patients treated with amlodipine (period comparison) showed better compliance (65.8 vs. 61.3%; p=0.037) and blood pressure control (48.5 vs. 45.8%; p=0.039) with the brand name drug. The percentages with simvastatin were 62.8 vs. 58.4% (p=0.041), respectively. A total of 73.6% of the physicians interviewed prescribed generic drugs and 59.2% believed that both types of drug had the same efficacy. Most of the patients interviewed (79.8%; CI: 74.3-85.3%) accepted the substitution; 55.3% (CI: 48.5-62.1%) received the appropriate information but 61.5% were confused by the different products. Lack of compliance was reported by 18.2%. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Antoni Sicras Mainar, Ruth Navarro Artieda |
Journal | Gaceta sanitaria
(Gac Sanit)
2010 Nov-Dec
Vol. 24
Issue 6
Pg. 473-82
ISSN: 1578-1283 [Electronic] Spain |
Vernacular Title | Influencia de la sustitución de medicamentos de marca por genéricos en el cumplimiento terapéutico de la hipertensión arterial y la dislipidemia. |
PMID | 20970220
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2010 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Antihypertensive Agents
- Drugs, Generic
- Hypolipidemic Agents
- Amlodipine
- Simvastatin
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Amlodipine
(therapeutic use)
- Antihypertensive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Drug Substitution
(statistics & numerical data)
- Drugs, Generic
(therapeutic use)
- Dyslipidemias
(drug therapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Hypertension
(drug therapy)
- Hypolipidemic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Medication Adherence
(statistics & numerical data)
- Middle Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- Simvastatin
(therapeutic use)
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