A NEW SURVEY shows that 94 per cent of consumers favour an increase in the use of generic medicines in order to save money.

Pharmacists are three times more likely to recommend generic medicines than doctors, according to the survey. It also shows one third of medical card holders are not using generic medicines even though half the population now hold a medical card.

The findings were published yesterday in a Behavioral and Attitude Survey of Irish consumers, commissioned by Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland.

Findings in the ‘Teva Cost of Medicines Index 2012′, measured attitudes on the cost of medicines, the use of generic alternatives and Government efforts to achieve savings. The survey also compared findings to a similar survey conducted in 2009.

The results also showed:

• 67 per cent of adults are using generic medicines, an increase of 35 per cent on 2009 findings.
• 22 per cent increase in public awareness of generic medicines among consumers in three years, with 72 per cent of adults aware of the differences between generic and branded medicines.
• 85 per cent of adults believe that the cost of medicines is currently too high, with a majority of those surveyed citing cost as the dominant reason for switching to generics.
• 94 per cent believe the state should increase its usage of generic medicines to reduce overall costs though only a third were aware of any government initiatives to reduce prices.
• Older people (65 years or older) and non-medical card holders are more likely to use generic medicines than younger people (under 34 years) and medical card holders.

Commenting on the findings, Sandra Gannon, General Manager of Teva Ireland said the survey shows consumers are increasingly aware of generic medicines and are confident of their safety and enhanced affordability.

“This survey also makes it clear that government, the industry and medical professionals must do more to meet consumer demand,” she said. She added that “given the overruns in our healthcare budget”, the government should be prioritisng published legislation that would give more dispensing powers to pharmacists.

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