Branded Vs Generic Drugs: Common Perspective among Working-Age Population in

Barangay Central, Calbayog City

Introduction

Historically, branded medications have been associated with better effects for patients

and client service compared to their generic counterparts. Since then, additional research has cast

doubt on this belief, demonstrating that generic medications are frequently just as dependable

and efficient as their branded equivalents. Generic drugs are manufactured without the use of

patented or trademarked ingredients. The FDA approves these generics for safety and efficacy

based on evidence of their bioequivalence to the branded drug. Generics are also required to have

the same labeling, indications, and usage as the branded product. Generic drugs may be preferred

as they provide more affordable prices and recognize the value of generic drugs usually have

lower price than brand counterparts. However, perceived doubts regarding the quality and

equivalence of generics remain questionable. There are certain studies suggesting that general

preference still tends to lean toward branded medicines as they are believed to be of superior

quality than generics.

Individuals in pain or illness seek the most optimal treatment available, expeditiously,

and without compromising on the quality. They would always choose the best regardless of the

cost, unless left with no choice. In addition, they would always go with what drug has always

worked best for them or others in their past conditions, what their doctors have recommended,

and what they are familiar with or accustomed to. Hence, people, especially those who can afford

may always go for expensive drugs rather than cheaper ones as these products are what has

always been introduced into the public through advertisements and are known to be of higher
quality than the latter. Additionally, the public views science, especially medical science, as

reliable and logical source of information, which explains why they would consider all those ads

featuring men in white just as trustworthy.

The misleading conception about generic medication and branded counterparts created a

tint of gray to the ethical aspects of medical treatment in the Philippines. Thus, to put an end to

the general concerns on the quality of generic drugs, the government conducted bioequivalence

testing on generic drugs and enacted Republic Act 6675 or the Generics Act of 1988 to require

the generic labeling by drug manufacturers, generic prescriptions by doctors, generic dispensing

by pharmacist, and the choice of generics by consumers.

However, while there has been established laws regarding generics use, certain studies

suggests that Filipinos still tend to rely on branded drugs than generic ones. According to the

Philippine pharmaceutical price survey, approximately 67% of respondents believed that

generics were of inferior quality than branded medicines (Batangan and Juban, 2009). Another

study shows that majority of their participants selected randomly, primarily target branded

medicines because they are widely used and popular. Additionally, some participants claim that

branded medications are safer than generic ones (Alam, Caparos, Deguzman, and Valenzuela,

2022).

Furthermore, upon asking certain local individuals about their general preference on

drugs and as advocate of economical and practical health care practice, we have noticed these

individuals are also still reluctant to procure themselves generic medications to treat their illness

and hesitant to promote its use among their family members because firstly: branded drugs are

more potent than generics; secondly, expensive drugs promise faster healing and recovery than

cheap ones; third established goodwill by and reputations of branded drugs fosters peace of mind
than generic drugs do; and lastly, there still has a lot of hidden reasons as to what influences their

choices, which the researchers would like to dig deeper on. Thus, this remains a considerable

issue as to why individuals still prefer branded rather than generics regardless of its costly

characteristics.

As much debate still surrounds over the use of generic drugs - medicines that are

frequently essential to attempt to keep healthcare expenses under control, it is crucial to

understand the perspectives of consumers with regards to these medications and their usage.

Hence the primary objective of this paper is to assess working-age opinions (including

perspectives, behaviors, attitudes and knowledge) of generic and branded medicines. This study

will also aim to understand what are the factors affecting their choice and to come up with a

solution, platforms and advocacies specific for this issue. This study will use a qualitative

approach and will function around working-age population or individual aging 25 to 50 as they

are the one who mostly have the capacity to purchase branded drugs. Adding up, this study will

not only promote generics use but will also lessen the economic burden in drug purchasing of

each individual.

For this end, the researchers were interested to delve into this topic as they deem it as

necessary to probe and further unearth spectrum of perspectives or perceptions of working-age

individuals pertaining to the tug-of-war between branded and generic medications. As future

healthcare providers, aside from bringing our patients from illness to wellness, we aim to put

emphasis in guiding them towards health by maximizing their economics.

Statement of the Problem

This study will aim to determine the common perspective among working-age population in

Barangay Central, Calbayog City.

Specifically, it will seek to obtain the following objectives:

1. What is the profile of the respondent in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Socioeconomic status

1.4 Average monthly income (for private and contractual/casual government

employment) or Salary grade (for REGULAR government employment)

1.5 Nature and Status of Employment

2. What are the factors affecting respondents’ drug preferences in terms of:

2.1 Practices and decisiveness

2.2 Pricing

2.3 Timing and Circumstances

2.4 Packaging

2.5 Perceived effectiveness

2.6 Branding and goodwill

2.7 Drug onset (long-term or short-term intake)

2.8 Other factors

3. Is there a significant difference between the profile of the respondents and the factors

affecting their drug preferences?

4. What program/intervention may be formulated to address the significant findings of

the study?