Chapter I INTRODUCTION

The physician decides which drugs is more cost-effective. It's up to physician to communicate the differences between generic and brand. But the patient actually makes the final decision.

Vito Nardulli BS Pharm -Generic versus Brand-name drugs DrMDK.com

Background of the study

The Philippine health care setting viewed by many as fast progressing from their old system which is based on cultural beliefs and taboos to a now more modern approach especially in terms of treatment and by using of drugs. With this, the perception of the people in the usage of medication is far more important in the recuperation of patient. Drugs are substances that can alter ones health. It could either treat a disease and bring an individual to his maximum health potential or put him on the other side of the picture. If taken inappropriately it can impose a bad effect thereby causing the worsening of ones health.

Nurses' role with regards to medication is to administer it for the right patient on the right route with the right dose at the right time. However if the client cannot afford the prescribed medication that is needed for the treatment regimen , the optimum health care that can be given not only by the nurse; but the entire health care team will be compromised. In general, most clients having an illness prefers pharmacologic treatment believing that it is far more effective than undergoing different treatment modalities. For instance, a person having fever will 1

take paracetamol than choose to perform tepid sponge bath. This only shows that people are highly dependent on medications in treating their illness. The Philippine Government specifically the Legislative body tried to solve this dilemma by creating a law, which is the Generic Drug Act of 1988, which permits production of generic drugs wherein the ingredients and processes have no difference with the branded ones. The leaders in the congress believe that this law will help to lower the price by 30% of unbranded drugs than branded ones. (Hon. Nograles, 2008). Expensive drugs are indeed a felt problem by most of the people of this country especially that of the under privilege sector. In spite of the governments response to this felt problem still there is an unseen progress by the masses. Thereby this study aims to determine whether inspite of the promulgation of this Act the reliability of the Generic drugs and the public trust on the Drugs with Trademark affects consumers' way of choosing their preference regarding the issue.

Interest

There is a growing competition in the market of Generic medicine and Branded medicine but the main interest here is not the market or what is on lead but which one do consumer entrust their health with and how it affects their health care compliance. For the Health workers, the topic affects them for their also endorse the drugs they prefer for their patients.

Statement of the Problem

In the proposed research title Doctors, Nurses and Patients' Drug preferences. The main problem was stated as: To determine the different perspective of Doctors, Patients and Nurses in regards of chosing medicine ; and its impact on the Philippine health care setting. Specifically the study seeks to clarify the following: 1. Does the personal profile of the subjects affect their perspective on choosing drugs:

DOCTORS and NURSES i. Sex ii. Age iii. Civil Status PATIENTS I. Sex ii. Age iii. Educational Attainment iv. Monthly Income 2. What does the Doctor prefer in prescribing drugs, Branded drugs or Generic Drugs? 3. What does the patient prefer in buying drugs? Branded drugs or Generic drugs?

Hypotheses OPERATIONAL 1. There is a significant correlation between the personal profile variables of the respondents and their drug preferences. 2. There is an existing relationship between doctors, nurses and patients in terms of their drug preferences. 3. There is a significant correlation between the respondents economic status and their choice of drugs as to classification whether branded or generic drug.

NULL 1. There is no significant correlation between the personal profile variables of the respondents and their drug preferences. 2. There is no existing relationship between doctors, nurses and patients in terms of their drug preferences. 3. There is no significant correlation between the respondents economic status and their choice of drugs as to classification whether branded or generic drug.

Scope and Delimitation

The study about the Doctors, and Nurses Patients' preference in choosing medications between Generic and Branded drugs involves the opinions of the said people on the said topic and might possibly answers with a bias preference. Preference on Medical drugs of Doctors, Nurses and Patients in one ( 1 ) selected hospital specifically Nodado General Hospital with a thirthy ( 30 ) sample.

This study will be limited and will not touch the following: 1. 2. Clinical judgement of the professionals involved. Emotions, The research will not be definite 100% in the credibility of the response and

facts since the respondents can be bias and manipulated by the respondents emotion themselves. 2. topic. This research does not criticize, prove wrong, and make the author and people involve in

Significance of the Study

The researchers choose this study based on what was seen during their hospital & community exposure. Many people, specifically Patients, have been wondering why generic drugs are chepaer than brand-name versions. The quality and effectiveness have been questioned too by the public. Thus creating confussion and misunderstanding of the safety of consuming generic drugs. On the other hand, brand-name version drugs are becoming more expensive, affecting patient's compliance on taking drugs. This study aims to determine the factual preference of the involved people on reliance in consuming drugs and to also determine the standards when purchasing medicine and how it affects their choice. The Society is much more affected with this topic. The competition between the two versions creates confusion to the public. This study aims to highlight the posibble standards on choosing drugs. Consumers or Patients, who are belonging in the said society, are the beneficiaries of this study, especially the underprivileged. And for the researcher, to gain knowledge and have skills in creating a formal scientific research study.

Conceptual Framework

The healthcare provider must consider the socio-economic status, situation, and autonomy (the ability to decide for his/her welfare) of the patient which care is rendered and focused. Patient might possibly not follow a treatment regimen because he/she prioritize other things rather than his/her health (e.g., he is not buying his medications because there is a financial problem in their house; he is not buying his medications since his wife/parents do not want to spend too much on his health). Assessing and trying to manipulate and solve the socio-economic status, situation, and autonomy of the patient will make the care can be more efficient.

Paradigm

INPUT 1. Socio-Economic Status 2. Educational Attainment 3. Age 4. Preferences / Standards

PROCESS 1. Questionnaire 2. Interview 3. Research Materials

OUTPUT Effect on Preference in Medical Drugs.

Definition of Terms

Branded drug drugs that has trademark, produced and distributed by a pharmaceutical company and claims for a patent protection. Client see patient. Competition a process where two or more companies produces same product, which cause an pull down effect in its prices. Doctor a graduate of Medicine or any higher degree and have passed the Licensure examinations require to be called a Medical Doctor. He is the only authorize person with knowledge in prescribing either generic or branded drugs used for alleviating symptoms, preventing further damage, treating a disease and/or syndrome. Drug chemical substances in a capsule, tablet, liquid formation, and/or any form which might cause a good or bad effect in a living person. Used to alleviate symptoms, prevents further damage, and treats a disease and/or syndrome Generic drug - is a drug which is produced and distributed without patent protection but still have same effect with the branded drugs and usually cost less since its compete for the branded drugs. Medical drug see drug(s). 8

Medications- see drug(s). Nurses a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing or any higher degree and passed a licensure exam locally or internationally. He/she is a licensed health care provider that is in charge to administer a medication to patient/ client prescribed by the doctor. Patent protection exclusive rights granted by the state to pharmaceutical companies to produce and distribute specific products which make them control prices without a ceiling mark. Patient refer as the consumers of the medications either admitted or not in the hospital and is the main focus of the treatment regimen and care for his or her welfare. A person who accepts he/she is weak and needs help of a health care provider. Philippine Healthcare Setting it is the current situation of the Philippines health status clinically and/or even in the community. Prescription- a piece of paper used by practicing doctors for their order of medications to be used in treating a client. It is written only by a licensed physician. Presented into a drugstore and recognize to be a legal document as for the over-the-counter and regulated drugs. Treatment modalities any kind of management done by a licensed health care provider that is therapeutic and beneficial to the patient without the use of any medications.

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