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Volume-13 Number-1, 2026 / Original Article
Breaking the Brand Myth: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Generic Medicines Among General Population
Author:
Rakshanda Doomra
Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Rhythm Doomra
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Mili Jyotsna
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Libin Sanjeev Leonson
Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Science, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Annwesha Chaudhury
Vydehi institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Shikha Dwivedi
Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Rhythm Doomra
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Mili Jyotsna
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Libin Sanjeev Leonson
Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Science, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Annwesha Chaudhury
Vydehi institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Shikha Dwivedi
Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Abstract:
Background: Generics
are therapeutically equivalent to their branded counterparts yet they are not
accepted amongst Indian Population due to their concerns about quality, safety
and efficacy. Hence this study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and
practice (KAP) regarding generic medications in general population residing
near Government Doon Medical College and Hospital, Dehradun.
Methodology: This
descriptive survey using Google forms was conducted among 432 adults residing
within a 5 km radius of GDMCH. Percentage was used to calculate Composite KAP
scores. Associations between categorical variables were examined using
chi-square tests. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to assess
inter-dimensional relationships and effect sizes
Results: Composite
scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 70.9%, 62.3% and 67.0%,
respectively. Weak positive correlations were observed between the KAP
dimensions (r = 0.182–0.249). KAP scores did not differ significantly by age,
sex, or residential location (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Although
there is widespread awareness, high price vs quality misconception and a lack
of doctor engagement limits generic drug acceptance. The weak KAP
intercorrelations suggest that knowledge alone is not sufficient to motivate
behavioural changes indicating that interventions such as patient counselling,
community IEC campaigns, and generic prescribing training for physicians are
required.
Keywords:
Generic Drugs; Nonproprietary Drugs; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; India; Cross-Sectional StudiesLicense:
Copyright (c) 2026 Era's Journal of Medical Research
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View in DOI
10.24041/ejmr.2026.4