World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

INTERCHANGEABILITY OF MEDICINES USING METFORMIN AS A SURROGATE PRODUCT (I)

Kolawole Jacob A,* Smith Keturah and Atibli Godwin

ABSTRACT

Medicines are necessities to every patient, therefore whenever the need arise, the patient have little option but to obtain whatever is available and affordable. The study was aimed at assessing the rationale for medicines substitution and to determine the level of compliance of pharmacists in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), to WHO principles on interchangeability of medicines. Metformin Hydrochloride was used as a surrogate product. The study was carried out in two phases, with the first phase involving the use self-completion structured questionnaires administered to the pharmacists in the hospital. A total of 63 pharmacists (47males and 16 females) participated in the study. 36.7% affirmed that their selection of generic medicines depends on quality and safety, while 82.53% of the respondent considered cost and 96.8% considered availability a priority. 68% used bioequivalence data if available and 44.2% of the respondent based selection on product popularity, local demands and company’s reputation. Finally, 63.5% based their substitution on patients consent or demand. The pharmacists showed excellent level of compliance to WHO policy on interchangeability and pharmaceutical care principles.

[Full Text Article]   [Download Certificate]