Abstract 12227: Patients’ Perceptions of Generic Drugs After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Multicentre Cohort Study

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2019-11, Vol.140 (Suppl_1 Suppl 1), p.A12227-A12227
• Main Authors: Pettersen, Trond Røed, Schjott, Jan, Allore, Heather, Bendz, Bjørn, Fridlund, Bengt, Larsen, Alf Inge, Nordrehaug, Jan Erik, Rotevatn, Svein, Wentzel-Larsen, Tore, Norekvål, Tone M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/circ.140.suppl_1.12227

IntroductionGeneric drugs are lower-cost bioequivalents to brand-name drugs, and important for reducing healthcare expenditure. However, some patients view generic drugs negatively, believing them to be of inferior quality. Misperceptions about generic drugs can potentially reduce adherence and thereby efficacy of the treatment.ObjectiveTo assess Norwegian patients’ perceptions of generic drugs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the association between perceptions and sociodemographic factors.MethodsThis study is part of CONCARD, an ongoing multicentre cohort study of patients after PCI. Postal questionnaires comprising sociodemographic data and four questions regarding efficacy, safety, side effects and active ingredients in generic drugs were distributed two months after discharge to patients included between June 2017 and December 2018 (N=1695). Details about hospitalization, invasive procedures and patient characteristics were collected from the Norwegian Registry on Invasive Cardiology and the patients’ medical records. Logistic regression analysis investigated how perceptions of generic drugs were associated with age, sex, income, and education level.ResultsIn total, 1301 patients (74%) responded to the questionnaire. Most were men (74%), married or living with a partner (77%), mean (SD) age 66 (11), range 30-96 years. Most admissions for PCI resulted from non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (31%). Sixty-two percent perceived generic drugs to be as effective, as safe (60%), produce the same side effects (56%), and contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs (58%). There were no indications of substantial associations of perceptions of generic drugs with age (p≥0.222) or sex (p≥0.106). However, those with a higher education level (college/university ≥4 years) (p≤0.003) and total household gross income >60.000 USD (p≤0.049) had more positive perceptions of generic drugs.ConclusionsThere remains a sizeable proportion of patients with negative perceptions of generic drugs after PCI. Educating patients through drug information efforts is a path for future research as it may reduce patients’ misperceptions about generic drugs, and thereby improve adherence to treatment.