Journal article
Determinants of national drug products acceptance across patients, pharmacists, and manufacturers: A mixed method study
Journal of generic medicines, Vol.17(3), pp.139-153
09/2021
DOI: 10.1177/1741134320926625
Abstract
Introduction
The national pharmaceutical industry is pivotal for both the health sector and the national economy. This study aims to identify determinants of national drug products acceptance. The objectives of this study were to quantitatively measure the level of patient and community pharmacist acceptance of national drug products available in community pharmacies and to qualitatively explore the barriers facing national pharmaceutical companies and investigate the suggested solutions.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used an explanatory mixed method design. It was conducted in Baghdad, Iraq from July through October 2018. The study included two surveys (one for pharmacy customers and another for pharmacists) and thereafter semi-structured interviews of national pharmaceutical company owners/managers. The interview guide was developed based on preliminary quantitative results. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview findings.
Results
We received 123 patient surveys and 125 usable pharmacist surveys. We conducted seven interviews and stopped when we reached saturation. Integrated qualitative and quantitative findings showed that the main determinants of national drug product acceptance are product characteristics (namely price, packaging, brand, and availability), healthcare providers effect on product promotion and perceived effectiveness, and regulations enforced by authorities mainly the Ministry of Health.
Conclusions
Product price was the number one modulating factor in patient decision-making when purchasing a drug product. It appears that physicians and pharmacists are playing negative or at least neutral role in promoting national drug products and sustaining patients trust in national drug products. Current policies appeared to slow national drug industry growth and limit manufacturers’ ability to expand their share in the market. Manufacturer marketing efforts can help in gaining physicians and pharmacists support of the national drug product. Reforms to current drug policy and regulations were proposed by manufacturers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Determinants of national drug products acceptance across patients, pharmacists, and manufacturers: A mixed method study
- Creators
- Kawther Khalid Ahmed - University of Iowa, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental TherapeuticsAli Azeez Al-Jumaili - University of Iowa, Pharmacy Practice and ScienceShihab Hattab Mutlak - University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Iowa City, IA, USAMohammed Kamel Hadi - University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of generic medicines, Vol.17(3), pp.139-153
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- DOI
- 10.1177/1741134320926625
- ISSN
- 1741-1343
- eISSN
- 1741-7090
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2021
- Academic Unit
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics; Pharmacy Practice and Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984131898702771
Metrics
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