This article aims to delve into the contemporary landscape of the pharmaceutical industry, specifically focusing on the demand for generic and prototype drugs. The research comprises two segments: theoretical and empirical. The theoretical section provides a literature review with accompanying clarification of terms related to drugs, emphasizing prototypes and generics, while also exploring the fundamental functions of pharmaceutical markets globally and in Greece from 2004 to 2020. The article investigates various theories detailing the factors influencing demand in the health and drug sector. In the empirical segment, a questionnaire survey involving 461 participants in the Athens area was carried out between January 2021 and April 2022. The sample, ranging from 18 to over 70 years old, was selected through random stratified sampling, employing on-site surveys in municipalities. Logistic multinominal regression identifies factors influencing this demand, including higher age, occupation in the private sector with moderate income, and residence in the southern or western suburbs. Findings indicate that the demand for generic drugs in this sample is not particularly high despite the fact that it contributes to social welfare and the national economy by saving resources.
References
[1]
Allenet, Β. (2003). Opinion and Behavior of Pharmacists towards the Substitution of Branded Drugs by Generic Drugs: Survey of 1000 French Community Pharmacists. Pharmacy World & Science,25, 197-202. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025840920988
[2]
Anastasakou, Z. N. (2013). Research on Public Pharmaceutical Expenditure. Centre of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE). (In Greek)
[3]
Dagkalidis, A. (2011). Sectoral Study—Production and Trade of Medicines.Piraeus Bank Economic Analysis and Markets Unit.
[4]
Dunne, S. & Dunne, C. (2015). What Do People Really Think of Generic Medicines? A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal of Literature on Stakeholder Perceptions of Generic Drugs. BMC Medicine, 13, Article No. 173. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-015-0415-3
[5]
Golna, C., Kontiadis, X., & Souliotis, K. (2005). Pharmaceutical Policy in Greece and Europe: Market Function and Regulatory Framework. Papazisis Publications. (In Greek)
[6]
Golna, C., Paratsiokas, N., & Ventouris, N. (2013). Development Prospects of the Greek Pharmaceutical Industry. Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research, IOBE. (In Greek)
[7]
Gustafsson, B., & Li, S. (2013). Expenditures on Education and Health Care and Poverty in Rural China. Research Gate Publications.
[8]
Ismailov, S., Lazareva, N., Rodionova, V., Shvachkina, L., & Pyanov, A. (2022). Socio-Demographic and Economic Factors of the Pharmaceutical Market Development in Russia. Pharmacophore Journal, 13, 51-57. https://doi.org/10.51847/YNRyDRkdzz
[9]
Karadimas, E. X. (2005). Health Psychology.Typothito.
[10]
Kontodimopoulos, N., Kastanioti, C., Thireos, E., Karanikas, H., & Polyzos, N. (2013). The Contribution of Generic Substitution to Rationalizing Pharmaceutical Expenditure in Greek Public Hospitals under Recent Economic Crisis. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 4, 211-216. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphs.12032
[11]
Kyriopoulos, G., & Athanassakis, K. (2012). Drug Economics: From Regulatory Rhetoric to Positivist Approach.Health Economics Department, National School of Public Health. (In Greek)
[12]
Kyriopoulos, G., Maniadakis, N., & Stournaras, G. (2011). Health Expenditures and Health Policies during the Memorandum Period in Greece.Health Economics Observatory, Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE). (In Greek)
[13]
Labiris, G., Fanariotis, M., Kastanioti, C., Alexias, G., Protopapas, A., Karampitsakos, T., & Niakas, D. (2015). Greek Physicians’ Perceptions on Generic Drugs in the Era of Austerity. Scientifica, 2015, Article ID: 251792. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/251792
[14]
Lee, K., Kassab, Y., Taha, N., & Zainal, Z. (2020). Factors Impacting Pharmaceutical Prices and Affordability: Narrative Review. Pharmacy, 9, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy9010001
[15]
Maniatis, G., Athanasiadis, T., & Demousi, F. (2013). The Pharmaceutical Market in Greece, Annual Report 2012. Health Economics Observatory, Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE). (In Greek)
[16]
Modern Medicine Network (2016). Global Generics Drug Market to Grow 10% Annually. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/global-generics-drug-market-grow-10-annually
[17]
OECD (2016). Health at a Glance 2015. http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/social-issues-migration-health/health-at-a-glance-2015_health_glance-2015-en#page1
[18]
Papadopoulos, C., Lolos, D., & Ollandezos, M. (2016). Assessing the Average Price Level of Generics in Greece and Other Comparable European Countries Relative to Their Volume Market Share. Value in Health, 19, A443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2016.09.562
[19]
Pontiki, E. (2013). The Policy of Generic Drugs (Generics) at the European Level. The Particularity of Greece. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. (In Greek)
[20]
Reichert, S., Korn, L., Simon, T., & Halm, E. (2003). Improving Physicians’ Knowledge of the Costs of Common Medications and Willingness to Consider Costs When Prescribing. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18, 31-37. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003.20115.x
[21]
Roughead, E., Dong-Sook, K., Benjamin, O., & Kemp-Casey, A. (2018). Pricing Policies for Generic Medicines in Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Singapore Patent Expiry and Influence on Atorvastatin Price. WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health, 7, 99-106. https://doi.org/10.4103/2224-3151.239421
[22]
Shahmoradi, M., Mosadeghrad, A., & Jaafaripooyan, E., (2021). Policies and Practices Catalyzing the Use of Generic Medicines: A Systematic Search and Review. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 31, 167-178. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v31i1.24
[23]
Theodorou, M., Tsiantou, V., Pavlakis, A., Maniadakis, N., Fragoulakis, V., Pavi, E., & Kyriopoulos, J. (2009). Factors Influencing Prescribing Behavior of Physicians in Greece and Cyprus: Results from a Questionnaire Based Survey. BMC Health Services Research, 9, Article No. 150. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-9-150
[24]
Tsaprantzi, A. V., Kostagiolas, P., Platis, C., Aggelidis, V. P., & Niakas, D. (2016). The Impact of Information on Doctors’ Attitudes toward Generic Drugs. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 53,1-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958016637791
[25]
Tsiantou, V., Zavras, D., Kousoulakou, H., Geitona, M., & Kyriopoulos, J. (2009). Generic Medicines: Greek Physicians’ Perceptions and Prescribing Practices. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 34,547-554. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01037.x
[26]
Vitsou, E. (2009). The Pharmaceutical Market in Greece, Annual Report (2009): Health Economics Observatory.IOBE. (In Greek)
[27]
Vogler, S., Zimmermann, N., Leopold, C., & De Joncheere, K. (2011). Pharmaceutical Policies in European Countries in Response to the Global Financial Crisis. Southern Med Review, 4, 69-79. https://doi.org/10.5655/smr.v4i2.1004
[28]
Yaser, M., Worafi, A., Alseragi, W., Alakhali, K., Ming, L., Othman, G., Abdulsalam, M., Halboup, A., Sultan, M., Alshahrani, S., Alshakhshir, S., Al-Shami, A., Ali, M., Adam, M., Wajid, S., & Elkalmi, R. (2021). Knowledge, Beliefs and Factors Affecting the Use of Generic Medicines among Patients in Ibb, Yemen: A Mixed-method Study.Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine, 6, 53-56. https://doi.org/10.5530/jppcm.2020.4.16
