Abstract:
Background: The pharmaceutical industry plays a role in fulfilling basic human needs by
ensuring the highest standards of health. In addition to the registered pharmacists, there are
apprentice pharmacists and other supporting staff working in the Sri Lankan pharmacy system.
Although there are locally produced generic medications accessible in the Sri Lankan pharmacy
system, branded medications are prioritized by some of the medical professionals and pharmacy
staff for a variety of reasons.
Objective: To examine pharmacy employees' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about
the distribution of generic vs. branded medications in the Colombo area to evaluate the correct
operation of a pharmacy
Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out
among pharmacy employees (n=100) in the Colombo area, comprising pharmacists and non pharmacists.
Results: Out of 100 participants, 15% were pharmacists, 37% were assistant pharmacists and 48%
were pharmacy-supporting workers. Among the participants, 60% had a view of substituting
generics for branded medicines in all cases where a generic is available. While 14% disagreed
with that, 26% were neutral. However, 61% believed some medicine brands are more effective,
and 6% disagreed. Among participants, 33% mentioned that sometimes they believe some brands
are more effective. Further, 5% of participants always select other brands in addition to the brand
which the doctor has prescribed. While 89 % are only selected to other brands when the prescribed
brand is unavailable, 6% have never done so. Also, 93% of participants usually inform the patients
when they change the brand, and 7% do not inform.
Conclusions: Although, non-pharmacists are not directly involved in dispensing of the drug to the
patient, their KAP on medicine is important for the proper functioning of the pharmacy system.
Hence, it is concluded that some workers at pharmacies require further improvement based on
KAP on generic vs branded medicine.
