KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF GENERIC MEDICINES AMONG PHARMACY STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Rajiv Yadav*, Jatin, Khem Chand, Kavita Yadav, Vikram Kumar

ABSTRACT

Background: Generic medicines are cost-effective alternatives to branded medicines and play a crucial role in improving access to healthcare. Adequate knowledge and positive perceptions among future pharmacists are essential for promoting generic medicine utilization. Objective: To assess the knowledge and perception of generic medicines among undergraduate pharmacy students at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak, Haryana, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 112 B.Pharmacy students from January to April 2026. Students from all four professional years participated, with approximately equal representation from each academic year. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of demographic, knowledge, and perception-related items. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among the participants, 90% had heard about generic medicines. Only 25% correctly believed that generic medicines are therapeutically equivalent to branded medicines, whereas 55% disagreed and 20% were unsure. Awareness regarding regulatory approval was limited, with only 29% responding correctly. Most students recognized that generic medicines are less expensive than branded medicines (90%) and contain the same active ingredients (89%). Regarding perception, 80% believed generic medicines are as effective as branded medicines, 66% considered them safe, 70% would recommend them to patients, and 70% supported their promotion by pharmacists. Additionally, 92% favored conducting awareness programs regarding generic medicines. Conclusion: Pharmacy students demonstrated satisfactory awareness regarding the affordability and composition of generic medicines but showed deficiencies in understanding therapeutic equivalence and regulatory approval requirements. Educational interventions are needed to improve knowledge and strengthen confidence in generic medicine utilization.

Keywords: Generic medicines, Pharmacy students, Knowledge, Perception, Generic substitution, Rational drug use, Cross-sectional survey.