Eureka! Institutional Repository

Medicines and the progress of science have contributed significantly in the health promotion of the population. They constitute essential part of health systems, because they affect health both at an individual and at an overall level. However, the financial recession that experience most of the countries around the world, have forced the corresponding authorities to take measures for the reduction of expenditures and the sustainability of health systems. One of these measures is the mandatory substitution with generic medicine, which has been increasingly implemented in more and more countries. Although, despite the compulsory measures, the presence of generics in pharmaceutical market is relatively low. Numerous structural changes have occurred in the National Health System (ESY) in Greece, in order to provide quality and efficient health services. Due to the country's economic crisis, cuts in health spending have led to a reduction in public pharmaceutical expenditure. In adition, in recent years, the use of generic drugs has been promoted through government measures for more efficient financial management of the health sector. In this area focuses the present research, which deals with the reasons why generics have a low presence in Greek hospitals, as well as the financial benefits from their use. This study is a total sampling research in doctors of a public regional hospital. It presents the factors affecting the behavior and frequency of prescription of generic drugs and analyzes the economic impact of their use within the framework of the state's measures for mandatory substitution with generics. According to the results, doctors consider that the use of generic medicines does not impose an economic burden on the health system by re-examining the cases or conducting additional examinations. Also, the key factor influencing physicians' prescription behavior is the proven clinical efficacy of the drugs. Finally, doctors are neutral on the Greek and European regulatory authorities on pharmacovigilance issues and do not fully adopt the policies applied to promote generics.