Barriers to Implement Generic Medicine Prescribing and Dispensing Policies in Pakistan: Current Challenges and Future Implication

Pharmacy Practice

  • Saad Abdullah1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
  • Zikria Saleem2Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
  • Brian Godman3Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa., 4Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
  • Furqan Khurshid Hashmi5University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Waleed Mohammad Altowayan2Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
  • Mohammed S Alshammari6Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Albatin, Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia.
  • Tamim E. Alrayes2Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
  • Mohammad Tarique Imam7Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
  • Abdul Haseeb8Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, 71491 Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
  • Zain Ul Abdin5University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Audrey Chigome3Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Garankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa.

Volume 23 Issue 3 Pages 1-16

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2025.3.3195

Abstract

Background: Prescriptions comprising of generic names have made place as the norm in many countries owing to established drug regulatory regimes. Nevertheless, generics have greatly reduced worldwide pharmaceutical and healthcare spending. Objective: The current review comprehensively explores research studies focused on generic medicine in Pakistan, utilizing a variety of research methodologies. The prime objective of this review is to assess the barriers toward the implementation of generic medicine prescribing and dispensing policies in Pakistan in order to reduce the prescription cost. Methodology: The articles were filtered using databases: Google Scholar and PubMed. The research questions were developed and focused exclusively on all literature available regarding generic medicine in Pakistan. Results: Google Scholar and Pub-Med were searched for the period 2000-2023. 45 studies were included as per our criteria. The selected papers were grouped into different themes. Seven (7) papers were included regarding knowledge, attitude, perception & practice of healthcare givers regarding generic medicine in Pakistan. Seven (7) studies were related to Availability, Affordability, Pricing of Generic Medicine in Pakistan while 31 studies were included regarding percentage of generic prescribing as per WHO Core indicators. Both quantitative and qualitative research studies were eligible for inclusion. the selected papers were grouped into different themes. Conclusion: With the help of the evidence available through screening, it has been revealed that situation of generic medicine is quite alarming in Pakistan. Bioequivalence regulations as well as proper generic policy are need of the day. Educational interventions and uncompromising compliance to the drug policies of WHO may play a part in generic medication prescribing. Implementation of pricing policies is compulsory to promote rational use of drugs and to enhance availability. Presence of qualified pharmacists and electronic health system at every level of healthcare setups is need of an hour.

Keywords

  • generic medicine
  • generic prescribing
  • generic dispensing
  • generic medicine policy
  • WHO core prescribing indicator
  • Pakistan
Pharmacy Practice

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