Abstract | BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic diseases like type II diabetes mellitus often have their prescriptions substituted with generic medicines in the course of care to save costs of medicines and to improve access. There is need to assess impact of this practice on patient care. OBJECTIVE: SETTING: An outpatient diabetic clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. METHOD: The study is a cross sectional survey of patients attending a diabetic clinic. A structured questionnaire was used to interview willing patients. A total of 120 patients were enrolled for the study, but only 102 responded (85 % overall response rate). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RESULTS: Over half (57.8 %) of surveyed patients (n = 59) had noticed brand switches, out of which, 30.5 % experienced brand switches more than 3 times within a year. More than a third of the respondents (38.6 %) did not know when pharmacists actually substituted their medicines. About one in five (19.6 %) patients did not use their medicines after substitution because they were not sure of the brand supplied but 35.6 % have rejected substitution at one time and insisted on doctors' prescription. Respondents (14.9 %) agreed that brand substitution resulted in confusion while 24 % reported receiving brands that resulted in more side effects. More respondents (58.6 %) indicated that they never had a discussion with their pharmacists about the reasons for generic substitution and switches. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Olubukola O Oyetunde, Bolajoko A Aina, Fola Tayo |
Journal | International journal of clinical pharmacy
(Int J Clin Pharm)
Vol. 36
Issue 3
Pg. 623-9
(Jun 2014)
ISSN: 2210-7711 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 24718947
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Community Pharmacy Services
(organization & administration, statistics & numerical data)
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
(drug therapy)
- Drug Substitution
(psychology, statistics & numerical data)
- Educational Status
- Female
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Humans
- Hypoglycemic Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nigeria
- Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
- Patient Education as Topic
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