RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 What use is generic prescribing?
JF The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
JO J R Coll Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 293
OP 295
VO 35
IS 275
A1 Michael Archer
YR 1985
UL http://bjgp.org/content/35/275/293.abstract
AB The dispensing of generic preparations at four dispensing chemist shops was investigated by means of a questionnaire. Certain generic prescriptions result in the dispensing of proprietary products despite the existence of generic preparations, and the pharmacist may be reimbursed for the cost of the proprietary drug which has been dispensed. Not all generic prescriptions result in the dispensing of cheaper drugs because of the methods of payment to chemists. If doctors write more generic prescriptions there will ultimately be more dispensing of generic products. Even in the case of drugs still under patent, prescribing by generic name should be encouraged. The savings achieved by generic prescribing are to some extent at the cost of the dispensing chemists. The method and scale of payments for dispensing requires urgent review.