Express Scripts FoundationResearch & Consumerology
Is There a Relationship Between Patient Beliefs or Communication About Generic Drugs and Medication Utilization?
Published: January 28, 2010
By: Shrank WH, Cox ER, Fischer MA, Mehta J, Choudhry NK. Medical Care 2009; 47(2): 319-325.
ST. LOUIS – Insurers and policymakers encourage patients to use generic drugs to reduce costs, but generics remain underused. Express Scripts conducted a national survey of commercially insured adults to evaluate their perceptions of generic drugs. The study showed that patients think generics are less expensive, are a better value than brand-name drugs, and are just as safe. Although 56% thought that Americans should use more generics, only 38% prefer generics.
Our factor analysis revealed that generic drug use is most closely tied to communication with providers about generics and a comfort level with generic substitution. Educational campaigns that focus on these factors could be the most effective way to influence generic drug use. To learn more about this research, view the abstracts in Health Affairs and Medical Care journals.
