CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

I. Introduction

These days a lot of people take medicinal drugs with a particular reason whether

they have a simple headache, or a lot worse condition, some people take medicines as

their maintenance.

In Pharmacology, a pharmaceutical drug, also called as medication or medicine is

a chemical compound that is used for the treatment or prevention of diseases, or

promotion of health and well-being. In as much as it is a chemical substance, it has a

chemical name that is descriptive of its chemical structure. This chemical name is based

on standard chemical nomenclature and serves as a complete identification for the drug.

A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand-name

drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance

characteristics and intended use. In addition to a generic name, a drug has a proprietary

brand or trade name. This is the name of the drug given by a drug company to distinguish

its product from those of its competitors. For example, paracetamol goes by the brand

names Biogesic, Tylenol, Winadol, Afebrin, Calpol, Crocin, Gifaril, etc. Thus, Biogesic,

Tylenol, etc. contain the same active ingredient, i.e., paracetamol, but they are

manufactured by different companies. This study will help the readers to raise their

awareness and to be more knowledgeable about the two types of medicine.

According to Melissa Stoppler, M.D. an d Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D. (2009)

“Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same dosage,

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intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as

the original drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are exactly the same as

those of their brand-name counterparts.” As defined by the World Health Organization

(WHO) “Generic drugs as pharmaceutical products meant to be identical to an

innovator’s product, that is developed outside of the innovator’s license and sold after the

patent’s expiry date and other restricted rights.”

II. Statement of the Problem

This research attempts to find evidences to A Study of Consumer’s Preferences

between Generic and Branded Medicines. More specifically it seeks to find the answers

to the following questions:

1) What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 Name(optional);

1.2 Age;

1.3 Gender;

1.4 Customer Status;

2) What is the most preferred medicine of the consumers?

3) Why did they choose those medicines?

4) What do doctors recommend most of the time between generic and branded medicinal

drugs?

III. Significance of the Study

The results of the study will be of great benefit of the following:

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MEDICINE TAKERS. The results will provide the medicine takers with some

knowledge in taking the said types of medicine. It will give the medicine taker’s

realization that both generic and branded are most likely the same when it comes in

efficacy and safetyness. At the end of this study, medicine taker would finally know why

there is a misunderstanding between the said types of medicine.

PARENTS. This study would expectedly heighten the awareness of the parents on the

difference and similarities of the two types of medicine in pharmacy. The given data

would help them formulate some preventive measures to help their children from judging

the both medicines. The findings would also help them to be more knowledgeable in

providing medicine to their children and people around them.

FUTURE RESEARCHERS. This study will help other researchers to have something to

look for information about taking between generic and branded medicines. This can also

provide baseline information on the recent status of the two types of medicine.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. This study would be beneficial to this

administration as this study enhance the knowledge of the medicine providers and users

about the possible misunderstanding. This study could also provide the necessary

information on the differences and similarities of generic and branded medicines.

IV. Scope and Delimitation

This topic is all about the boundaries and parameters of the study.

The researchers will focus on the most preferred between generic and branded

medicines. The respondents of the study will be the customers of the specific pharmacy

inside Lagro, Quezon City. The goal of the study is to determine the reasons why

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consumers chose their preferred medicine and find strong points and weak points in

relation to the core elements discussed in the statements of the problem. The aspects will

look into the qualifications of the medicine takers and their medicines.

V. Definition of Terms

For the purpose of clarification, the important terms used in this study have been

defined.

The following terms are:

Pharmacology. It is the branch of biology concerned with the study of drug action,

where a drug can be broadly defined as any man-made, natural, or endogenous molecule

which exerts a biochemical.

Medicine. It is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease.

Pharmaceutical. This is relating to or engaged in pharmacy or the manufacture and sale

of pharmaceuticals.

Nomenclature. A set or system of names or terms, as those used in a particular science.

Dosage. It is the regimen prescribed by the doctor about how many days and how many

times per day the drug is to be taken in specified dose by the patient.

Proprietary. This is relating to an owner or ownership.

Counterpart. The thing that has the same purpose as another one.

Acetaminophen. This helps to reduce fever and/or mild to moderate pain (such as

headache, backache, aches/pains due to muscle strain, cold, or flu) for example Biogesic.

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Tylenol. This is the trademark for acetaminophen.

Winadol. This is prescribed for pain weak and moderate intensity of different genesis

including headache, migraine, toothache, fever in infectious, and inflammatory diseases.

Afebrin. It is used for fever by the patient, or the doctor prescribes it for a headache or

body pains.

Calpol. It is a brand of children's medicine and is mainly used to treat fever and pain in

children. It is theoretically an analgesic and antipyretic meaning reduces fever.

Crocin. This is used for treatment of mild-to-moderate pain including: muscle ache.

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 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Characteristics of Medicines

According to Salamat Dok, Dr. Melissa Guerrero, Head of the Department of

Health’s National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management (DOH-NCPAM)

says, “In terms of quality analysis, they both undergo the same process at the Food and

Drug Administration. Quality, safety and efficacy are scrutinized. Meaning, when it

passes through FDA, whether it’s generic or branded, it has the same quality.”

She also added that when it comes to the effect of the medicine in the treatment of any

medical condition, branded and generic are the same. If you have a fever, you need

paracetamol. If it’s high blood, aspirin is the cure. Guaifenesin if you a cough. These are

the active properties of the branded ones; they just differ in prices and formulation.

“When you say generic, it is cheaper because the cost of research is not included. It’s the

reason why branded medicines are more expensive. Drug makers spent time to research

and develop a certain drug. That’s why generic medicines are 80% cheaper compared to

the originator drug,” she explained.

Based on Inquirer.net, Herrera placed the generic medicines’ awareness level for

Greater Manila Area at 65 percent, with Luzon at 48 percent and the Visayas and

Mindano at 53 percent.

“Generic medicines are now significantly cheaper by more than 50 percent compared to

its branded counterparts,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in his keynote speech.

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Ona noted that the long list of discrepancies and inefficiencies from the manufacture,

distribution, pricing, prescription and using of regular drugs prompted the government to

institute a comprehensive national policy on pharmaceutical production and consumption.

Today, the market share of generic medicine is 60 percent. Generic drugstore Generics

Pharmacy leads the pack with 1,300 branches nationwide, followed by Generika and

Botika Pinoy.

Dr. Carmencita Noriega-Reodica, former health secretary, said the generics law had faced

resistance from multinational companies and the private sector but strategies to make the

people aware and give them informed choices on medicines had made generics

acceptable, affordable and accessible.

According to Charina Clarisse Echaluce (2017) Generic medicines have

successfully overtaken their branded counterparts less than a decade since the passage of

the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008, Health Secretary Paulyn Jeal Ubial revealed.

“Generics now account for 65 percent of the total pharmaceutical market in terms of

volume sales whereas originator products account for only 35 percent of the total

pharmaceutical market industry,” said Ubial, during the Patient Forum on Access to

Medicines which was held in Manila.

The health chief also stated that the figure is already up by more than 20 percent as

compared with the estimated 40 percent generic drugs sale prior to the implementation of

Republic Act No. 9502 (Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008).

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 According to 7 Consuelo B. Alarcon (2017) In TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept

13 (PIA) – Generic medicines offer substantial health and economic benefits to patients,

their families, and the national health system according to Angelica Marie Bolos of the

Department of Health Regional Office No. 8.

“Despite the affordability of these medicines, it contains the same active ingredients and

therefore should work as well as the more expensive branded products provided that they

have passed the safety and quality requirements of the Philippine Food and Drug

Administration (FDA),”Bolos said.

Health authorities assured that a generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug that is equivalent

to a brand-name product in dosage, strength, safety and quality.

Bolos advised to “Always ask for the generics name of medicine everytime you buy in a

drugstore.”

According to Colgan S, Faasse K, Martin LR et al., (2015) there are a significant

number of laypeople, doctors and pharmacists with concerns about the efficacy, safety

and quality of generic medicines. The negative perceptions of doctors and pharmacists

are likely to be barriers to a wider acceptance of generics, as health professionals have a

strong influence on patients’ decisions to take generic medicine. Further work is needed

on how interventions for medical professionals and for the public can reduce negative

attitudes about efficacy, safety and side effects, in order to increase the said medicines.

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 Generic and brand-name medications produce similar clinical outcomes.

Nonetheless, differences in shape, colour, taste, and name can lead to patient, and

sometimes clinician, confusion. These differences have been associated with non-

persistent use of medications.6 Also, generic medications can contain different fillers,

and rarely some patients might not tolerate the medication for that reason. To prevent

confusion, it is essential that we let patients know they might, over time, receive

medications that look or sound different but contain the exact same medication. If they

have any concerns they should always check with their pharmacist, physician, or health

care provider. (J. McCormack & J. Chmelicek, 2014)

The criteria used to evaluate generic drug bioequivalence studies support the

FDA's objective of approving generic drug formulations that are therapeutically

equivalent to their innovator counterparts. (B. Davit & P. Nwakama et al., 2009)

Generic medications do not undergo the rigorous approval process required of

original medications. Their effectiveness and safety is expected to be equal to that of their

more expensive counterparts. However, several case reports and studies describe clinical

deterioration and decreased tolerability with generic substitution. (J. Desmerais & L.

Beauclair et al., 2010)

The government of West Bengal, India has initiated exclusive generic drug outlets

called ‘Fair price medicine shop’ (FPMS) inside the government hospital premises in a

‘Public Private Partnership’ (PPP) model since 2012. The policy appeared to be

promising in terms of perceived effectiveness, safety and adherence to treatment for the

patients who acquire generic drugs from FPMS compared to drugs purchased from open

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market retailers. Therefore, this study might act as an impetus for the policy-makers to

initiate similar models across the country. (Wolters Kluwer, 2017)

The difference between a brand-name product and a generic one is designed to be

transparent. Once the patent life expires on a brand-name drug product, it is eligible to be

made into a "generic drug." To do this, the generic drug manufacturer must ensure that

the drug they are producing contains the same active ingredient(s) as the brand-name

product, in the same dosage form, at the same dose or concentration, and for the same

route of administration (for example, amoxicillin 500 milligram (oral) capsule). The drug

may differ in color, shape, taste, inactive ingredients, preservatives and packaging,

however. Because of these differences, the generic drug manufacturers are required to

submit additional paperwork to the FDA to prove that their product is manufactured in

accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and is as pure and stable as the

brand-name product. (Erik Mogalian & Paul Myrdal, 2000)

Theoretical Framework

The Generics Act of 1988, also known as Republic Act (RA) 6675, seeks “to

promote, require, and ensure the production of an adequate supply, distribution, use, and

acceptance of drugs and medicines identified by the generics names.” This law was

written to ensure sufficient supply of medicines in the country at the lowest possible cost.

In 2008, RA 9502 (Universally Accessible and Quality Medicines Act of 2008) amended

the Generics Act by prescribing more severe penalties to those who fail to comply with

Section 6 of the law. Drug manufacturers were also required to include prominent

labeling regarding equivalent therapeutic efficacy of generics. Twenty-five years since

RA 6675’s inception, follow-up studies are notably lacking. There is still a paucity of

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studies on generic drug prescribing, dispensing, and use in the country. According to the

Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveys conducted from 1999 to 2008, generic

prescribing has been decreasing. More physicians have been prescribing drugs using

brand names exclusively (41% in 1999 to 47% in 2008). Fewer physicians have been

prescribing drugs using generic names only (34% in 1999 to 32% in 2008), and even less

adopt the proper prescribing practice of generics plus branded drugs (25% in 1999 to

21% in 2008). In a 2000 SWS survey, only 48 percent of respondents had generic names

in their prescription (either alone or in combination with brand names). As for generics

dispensing, the same 2000 SWS survey showed that among respondents who had generic

names in their prescriptions, 51 percent were offered a generic drug by the drugstore; 24

percent, a branded drug; and 23 percent, both generic and branded drugs. What

respondents actually bought (either generics or brand-name drugs only, or both) matched

those that were offered to them. Furthermore, comparing the 2006 to the 2008 SWS

surveys, there was only minimal change in the purchasing behavior of respondents. More

respondents bought generic medicines only (44% in 2006 vs. 50% in 2008) compared to

branded only (24% vs. 29%) or both (16% vs. 19%) for the year 2008. And while there

were more people buying generics, 58 percent of the respondents still find the prices of

medicines somewhat or very expensive. As for respondent perception on generics, the

2000 survey showed that 27 percent believed that generic medicines were more effective

than their branded counterparts, 24 percent believed that branded medicines were more

effective than generics, 24 percent believed both have the same efficacy, and 26 percent

were unaware about generic medicines. In the same survey, it was revealed that the main

sources of information regarding generic drugs were television (37%), doctor or nurse

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(22%), radio (15%), health centers (14%), drugstores (5%), magazines and newspapers

(3%), and posters (2%). In 2006, 18 years after the implementation of Generics Act of

1988, respondents were asked if they had heard or read of government programs for

cheaper medicines; 72 percent answered “No”. In the same year, the Department of

Health (DOH) published a report assessing compliance to specific provisions of RA 6675

(The Generics Act of 1988). In its report, the department noted that certain provisions

were not strictly followed or implemented due to factors such as lack of budget, lack of

human resources, and poor monitoring of prescribing and dispensing behaviors. This gap

in implementation is worrisome, as it may have affected Filipinos’ access to affordable

quality medicines.

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Research Paradigm

Profile

Medicinal Preference

Types of Medicines

Figure 1: Research Paradigm

RQ1: What is the profile of the respondents?

RQ2: What is the preferred medicines of the consumers?

RQ3: Why did they chose their preferred medicines?

RQ4: Does their personal profile influence their medicinal preference?

RQ5: What is the most recommended medicines by the doctors?

H1: Their personal profile does not influence their medicinal preferences?

H2: The most preferred medicines are from branded over its generic counterpart?

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 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the methods of research that the researchers used for the

study. Furthermore, this chapter presents a description of the research design selection

and description of respondents, the preparation of the instruments that will be used to

gather data, data collection procedure, as well as the statistical treatment of data that will

be used.

I. Research Design

In order to see the bigger picture of the reasons why the consumer chose their

preferred medicines, the quantitative research design was used.

As a quantitative research study, it deals in numbers, logic and an objective

stance. Quantitative methods emphasize objective measurements and the statistical,

mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and

surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.

Quantitative research focuses on gathering numerical data and generalizing it across

groups of people or to explain a particular phenomenon. The data is usually gathered

using structured research instruments. The results are based on larger sample sizes that

are representative of the population. The research study can usually be replicated or

repeated, given its high reliability. The researchers have a clearly defined research

question to which objective answers are sought. The researchers believe that this research

design is the most suitable for this study and reason being is that the main objective is to

find out what is the most preferred medicines between generic and branded. After having

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a survey, the researchers will then summarize the data and present the result which is

expected to contain.

II. Research Locale

This study is conducted at the specific pharmacy inside Lagro, Quezon City since

the chosen respondents are customers of the pharmacy.

III. Research Subject

The researchers considered the customers of the pharmacy comprising of 50

members, male and female. They were the chosen respondents because they are qualified

to every aspect we are looking for.

IV. Research Instrument

The instrument used was a researcher-made questionnaire checklist which will

use a 5-point Likert scale to gather the needed data for the respondent’s profile. The

questionnaire-checklist is the main instrument used in gathering data. It was primarily

employed to come up with the perception of respondents concerning the subject matter, a

questionnaire is a list of planned, written questions related to a particular topic, with

space provided for indicating response to each questions, intended for submission to a

number of persons for reply. In the preparation of the instrument, the requirements in the

designing of good data collection instrument were considered. For instance, statement

describing the situations or issues pertaining was toned down to accommodate the

knowledge preparedness of the respondents. Open-ended options were provided to

accommodate to free formatted views related to the topics or issues. In this way, the

instrument is authorized to obtain valid responses of the students. Preference for the use

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of the structured questionnaire is premised on several research assumptions such as a)

cost of being a least expensive means of gathering data, b) avoidance of personal bias, c)

less pressure for immediate response, and giving the respondents a greater feeling of

anonymity. In the end, it encouraged open responses to sensitive issues at hand. In

addition the instrument was validated by a few consultant and professors before it laid on

to the study.

V. Research Ethics

It is a researcher’s responsibility to follow the research organization’s code of

practice on ethical standards, and any relevant academic or professional guidelines in the

conduct of their study. In this study, the researchers obtained informed consent from

potential participants. The researchers made sure that all the participants understand that

they are taking part in research and what the research requires of them. Such information

includes the purpose of the research, the methods being used, the possible outcomes of

the research, as well as associated demands, discomforts, inconveniences and risks that

the participants may face. The researchers assured that the potential participants

volunteered, taking part on the research without having been coerced and deceived. The

researchers did not harm the participants. The researchers protected their anonymity and

confidentiality, gave them the right to decline to participate and to withdraw from our

research at any time and avoided deceptive practices when designing our research.

VI. Validation of Instrument

The draft questionnaire was submitted to the Program Head of College of

Pharmacy and Grammar Instructor for content validation. Connections were considered

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before it was administered for pilot study. The data in the pilot study was subjected for

reliability test. The result was considered in finalizing the research instrument.

VII. Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers of this study followed some procedures in order for them to

achieve the objectives of this work. The researchers presented their questionnaire which

covered all the variables included in the statement of the problem to their research

adviser, English instructor and even to the Head of College of Pharmacy ask for their

approvals before they were finally able to provide enough copies of the questionnaires

intended for their respondents. Upon approval, the researchers retrieved the informed

consent letter and survey questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of instruction and 5-

point Likert scale type of questionnaire.

The probability sampling method used was simple random sampling. Before

distributing the questionnaire, the researchers made sure that they asked permission to the

owner of the Pharmacy. The researchers conducted the study in the small community

drug store which is Lagro Pharmacy inside Lagro. The researchers informed all the

assistant pharmacists, pharmacists and other staffs. The researchers asked permission first

to all the respondents before giving them survey. The researchers informed them in the

objectives of this study and what they will be participating to. The researchers chose only

those who are willingly to cooperate with our study. They gave them the right to refuse

on answering the given questionnaire. Also the researchers assured confidentiality of

their questionnaire sheets since the identities are not that important. There were no given

incentives to the participants. The researchers gave their gratitude to all the respondents

for being a part of this study which will be a truly great help in completion of our

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research work and to all the staffs who also helped us. After gathering, the results of the

data were collected, analyzed and interpreted.

VIII. Statistical Analysis

The Data gathered from the questionnaire were encoded, summarize and

interpreted using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21. The following

statistical tools were used:

The Researchers used rank in the results. First get the mean from the data, then

the ranking will be based on the highest and lowest frequency. The researchers used to

get the mean the total of the data per question then divided into 50 which is the total

number of the sample population.

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 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents, interprets and analyzes the data gathered from the

respondents through the survey questionnaire. Further elaboration and discussion will be

rendered in order to come up with findings.

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

For the profile of the respondents, the questionnaire asked for the participant’s

age, gender and their status. Below are the tables summarizing the gathered values for

each profile category:

Research Question: What is the profile of the respondents?

TABLE 1

Age Distribution of 50 Respondents

As shown in table 1, the majority of the respondents belong to the age bracket of

20-29 years old with the frequency of 11 or 22% followed by the age bracket of 60 and

above with the frequency of 10 or 20%. 7 or 14% of the respondents are in the age

bracket of 40-49 years old, the lowest frequency. The highest number of frequency is

from the age bracket of 20-29 years old.

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 Age Frequency Percentage Rank
Below 20 5 10% 6
20 - 29 11 22% 1
30 - 39 8 16% 4
40 - 49 7 14% 5
50 - 59 9 18% 3
60 and above 10 20% 2
Total 50 100%

TABLE 2

Gender Distribution of 50 Respondents

It can be seen in the table 2 that out of the 50 respondents surveyed, majority of

the participants are female with the frequency of 32 or 64% and only 18 or 36% are male.

It shows that more than half of the respondents are female.

Gender Frequency Percentage Rank

Male 18 36% 2
Female 32 64% 1
Total 50 100%

TABLE 3

Customer Status Distribution of 50 Respondents

Table 3 presents the frequency and percentage of the respondents’ status. All of

the participants are separated according to their status. 23 out of 50 respondents are

regular customers with the percentage of 46%. While 11 of them fall into the senior

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citizen status with the percentage of 22%; 9 or 18% of respondents are the persons with

disabilities and the 7 or 14% left are those who are under maintenance medication. It tells

that the “regular customer” category has a greater number of the respondents among

others.

Customer Status Frequency Percentage Rank

Regular Customer 23 46% 1

Person with Disabilities 9 18% 3

Senior Citizen 11 22% 2

Under Maintenance
7 14% 4
Medication
Total 50 100%

SURVEY ANALYSIS

Research Question: What is your medicinal preference in Pharmacy?

TABLE 4

Medicinal Preference of 50 Respondents

In the table 4 displays the preferred medicines of the respondents. Out of the 50

sample population, 26 have chosen the branded medicines (52%) while the other 24

chose the generic medicines (48%). It reveals that most of the respondents when it comes

in choosing on what to take between the two types of medicines, they would prefer the

branded medicines than generic medicines.

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 Medicines Frequency Percentage Rank

Generic Medicines 24 48% 2

Branded Medicines 26 52% 1

Total 50 100.0

Research Question: Which of the two usually prescribed by doctors to you?

TABLE 5

Prescribed Medicines by Doctors

It can be seen in the table 5 that out of the 50 participants surveyed, majority of

the medicines that mostly prescribed by doctors to the respondents are branded medicines

with the frequency of 26 or 52% while the other 24 or 48% respondents are generic

medicines. It shows that the most prescribed medicines by doctors are from branded

medicines.

Medicines Frequency Percentage Rank

Generic Medicines 24 48% 2

Branded Medicines 26 52% 1

Total 50 100%

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Research Question: Rate the effectiveness of generic and branded medicines.

TABLE 6

Effectiveness of Generic Medicines

Table 6 shows the effectiveness of generic medicines based from the

questionnaires answered by the respondents. 38% of the respondents answered that

generic medicines are not effective to them followed by those who answered highly

effective with a frequency of 14 (28%). The other participants who cover the 22% of the

respondents answered that generic medicines are slightly effective and the 6% of the

respondents answered that they are moderately effective. It obviously shows that most of

them are not satisfied with the effectiveness of the generic medicines as the greater

number of the answers fall into “not effective” category.

Generic Medicines Frequency Percentage Rank

Not Effective 19 38% 1

Slightly Effective 11 22% 3

Moderately Effective 6 12% 4

Highly Effective 14 28% 2

Total 50 100%

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 TABLE 7

Effectiveness of Branded Medicines

In the table 7 contains the effectiveness of branded medicines from the

questionnaire surveyed. 36% of the respondents answered that branded medicines are

highly effective to them followed by the 24% of the respondents answered that it is

moderately effective. The other respondents which hold the 20% of the total sample

population answered that this type of medicines are only slightly effective to them. The

other 20% of the respondents certainly answered that branded medicines are not effective

to them. It definitely reveals that most of the respondents are contented with the

effectiveness of the branded medicines on their body.

Branded Medicines Frequency Percentage Rank

Not Effective 10 20% 3.5
Slightly Effective 10 20% 3.5

Moderately Effective 12 24% 2

Highly Effective 18 36% 1

Total 50 100%

Research Question: What are the possible reasons for choosing your preferred medicines?

TABLE 8

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 Possible Reasons for their Preferred Medicines

It can be seen in Table 8, this holds the possible reasons for choosing the

respondents’ preferred medicines. The most selected reason is the participants’

perception in medicines which has a weighted mean of 3.64 and interpreted as strongly

agree followed by the category of “availability” which holds the weighted mean of 3.62

and also interpreted as strongly agree. Other respondents was influenced by family when

it comes in choosing their medicines, this has a weighted mean of 3.44 and interpreted as

agree. The advertisement gave the participants an added satisfaction in choosing their

medicines, and this holds the weighted mean of 3.34 and also interpreted as agree. The

two reasons: price cost and prescribed by doctors have the same weighted mean which is

3.06 and interpreted as agree. The respondents also considering the price cost when it

comes in choosing medicines and most especially the medicines that are prescribed by

doctors to them. In this table clearly tells that the perceptions in medicines are mostly the

reason why they chose their preferred medicine. It’s either they have a current knowledge

about the difference between generic and branded medicines or none.

Possible Reasons Weighted Mean Interpretation Rank

Price Cost 3.06

Agree 5.5
Doctor’s Prescription 3.06 Agree
5.5
Influenced by Family 3.44 Agree
3
Advertisement 3.34 Agree
4
Perception in Medicines 3.64
Strongly Agee 1

Availability 3.62
Strongly Agree 2
3.36
Overall Agree

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 Legend: 1.00-1.49 Strongly Disagree 1.50-2.49 Disagree 2.50-3.49 Agree 3.50-4.00
Strongly Agree

Research Question: Which of the two types of medicine is favorable for you in terms of

the following characteristics?

TABLE 9

Characteristics of Medicines

Table 9 presents the frequency and ranking of the favored characteristics of the

medicines of the respondents. Comparing the both medicines with different

characteristics, the highest frequency of 34 is the “preservative” of the branded

medicines. That means 34 respondents is more favorable with being preservative of

branded medicines than generic medicines which only have 16 respondents. This

followed by the frequency of 33 that tells that the shapes of branded medicines are more

favorable than generic medicine with the frequency of 17. Next to this is the flavoring of

the medicines. The branded medicines contain the higher frequency of 31 than generic

medicines which only consist of 19. With that, it means that almost all of the respondents

are more satisfied with branded medicines when it comes in flavoring. The same goes

with the color of the medicines. The branded medicines contain also the higher frequency

of 31 than generic medicines which only consist of 19. The color of the medicines added

contentment to the respondents. Lastly is the labeling of the medicines, the higher

frequency is still in the branded medicines section. 30 respondents are favored with the

labeling of branded medicines and 20 respondents are favored with the labeling of

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generic medicines. That means, respondents also considering the labeling of a medicine

they are going to take.

Generic Medicines Branded Medicines

Characteristics
Frequency Rank Frequency Rank
Shape 17 5 33 2
Color 19 2.5 31 4.5
Packaging 18 4 32 3
Labeling 20 1 30 6
Flavoring 19 2.5 31 4.5
Preservative 16 6 34 1

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 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary or the research work undertaken, the

conclusions drawn and the recommendations made as an outgrowth of this study.

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 This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the consumer’s

preferences between generic and branded medicines. The quantitative method of research

was utilized and the questionnaire checklist which will use a 5-point Likert scale was

used for gathering data. The respondents were randomly selected consumers of the

specific pharmacy inside Lagro, Quezon City.

I. Summary of Findings

The salient findings of the study are as follows:

Out of the 50 sample population, 26 have chosen the branded medicines (52%)

while the other 24 chose the generic medicines (48%). It tells that most of the

respondents when it comes in choosing on what to take between the two types of

medicines, they would prefer the branded medicines than generic medicines.

The most selected reason is the participant’s perception in the medicines which

has a weighted mean of 3.64 and interpreted as strongly agree. It obviously reveals that

consumers are depending on their own perception without knowing the deeper content of

both medicines. Followed to this reason is the availability of the medicines which has

weighted mean of 3.62 and interpreted as strongly agree. They are also considering the

availability of the medicines maybe because the branded medicines are always available

than generic medicines or vice versa or they need it immediately.

According to the respondents, the most prescribed medicines by doctors are

branded medicines but both medicines have only 4% difference. They are nearly equal in

votes. As the most selected reason for choosing their preferred medicines which is their

perception on medicines, they may think that the higher the price the higher possibility

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that they can recover quickly from sickness. It may also affect the availability of the

medicines. They would rather choose the medicines that are available especially if they

need an immediate medication intake.

II. Conclusion

Based on the information and data gathered, the researchers have eventually

drawn with a conclusion.

The respondents have conveyed their complete morality in giving their opinions,

ideas and perception. More than half of the participants preferred the branded medicines

more than generic medicines. But also there is an almost equal vote for the both types of

the medicines which only has one vote different. It is noticeable that the difference of the

both medicines is both possible to be the preferred medicines. As the most chosen reason

for why they preferred their chosen medicines is their perception on medicines. They

trust more the branded medicines as they believe that the more expensive the medicine is,

the more effective it is. But the truth is the two types of medicines both undergo the same

procedure to be approved in the market. Same goes for the most prescribed medicines by

doctors which are the branded medicines. There is only a little difference which means

doctors don’t discriminate the medicines, and they are also considering the generic

medicines and the patient especially when it comes in financial accountability.

Therefore, the researchers concluded that the most preferred medicines by the

consumers are the branded ones but also considering the generic. Also the researchers

concluded that consumers are only depending on their own perspectives when choosing

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between generic and branded medicines without knowing the deeper content of the both

said medicines.

III. Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusion presented the researchers proposed the

following recommendations:

The researchers recommend that all the medicine takers should be aware that

generic and branded medicine work in the same way and provide the same clinical

benefit as its brand-name version. A generic medicine is the same as a brand-name

medicine in dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality, as well as in the

way it is taken and should be used. Some patients have the misperception that generic

drugs are inferior to brand name drugs.

The researchers recommend that the parents should also be more knowledgeable

about the both medicines as they are the default medical decision-makers for their

children for many ethically important reasons.

For the future researchers, this research is still open for a long term discussion to

add important and further clarification for future studies. This could also be used as their

related literature.

For the Food and Drug Administration, they should spread awareness of the

possible difference between generic and branded medicines in vulnerable populations as

they are the ones who are administering drugs.

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