Generic drugs: A qualitative study with community pharmacists in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region

Abstract

A generic drug is a medicinal product that has the same qualitative and quantitative composition of active ingredients and the same pharmaceutical form as the originator pharmaceutical product. In Morocco, their growth is not as rapid as expected and the pharmacist’s engagement is essential to the development of these drugs. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the opinions and practices of pharmacists. Structured interviews were conducted with 16 pharmacists from the Rabat- Salé - Kénitra region. Several points were addressed in the interviews: general opinion on generic drugs, the practices of pharmacists towards the generic drugs, the result analysis of this qualitative study was done using in vivo. Most pharmacist participants believe that generic drugs do not have the same quality, efficacy and safety as the originator of pharmaceutical products.

There is a lack of transparency on the part of health authorities and laboratories regarding bioequivalence and drug control. Many pharmacists notice that the existing information about the generic drug is unsatisfactory. The identification of multiple obstacles to the supply of generic drugs makes it possible to suggest various solutions: generic drugs training for pharmacists, the obligation to carry out bioequivalence studies, the substitution right.  

Classification JEL: M31

Paper type: Empirical research