Generic Drugs : Physician Prescribing Practices for Brand Name and Generic Medications

Generic Drugs: Physician Prescribing Practices for Brand-Name and Generic Medications by Tamuno Raymond George MHSA.Strayer University, 2007 MBA,Strayer University,2006 BSN, North Carolina Central University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Healthcare Administration Walden University August 2016 Abstract Brand-name drug costs continue to create a burden for many US seniors who receive care from healthcare institutions. Generic medication is as therapeutic as is brand-name drugs and, in most cases, costs far less. Despite this cost difference, physicians continue to prescribe brand-name drugs. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore physicians’ patterns of prescribing brand-name drugs over generic drugs. This study was guided by the medical home model, which was developed in 1967 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The study incorporated a purposeful sampling approach with a sample size of 151 physicians. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the associations between cost of treatment using generic medications and determinants of physicians’ pattern of prescribing brand-name medications over generic medications. There were no statistically significant associations between physician belief of cost using generic medications and determinants of physicians’ pattern of prescribing brand-name medications over generic medications, suggesting that physicians’ prescription patterns are not solely determined by cost of the drug to the patients. The positive social change implication of this study is in the awareness that it generates among physicians, withBrand-name drug costs continue to create a burden for many US seniors who receive care from healthcare institutions. Generic medication is as therapeutic as is brand-name drugs and, in most cases, costs far less. Despite this cost difference, physicians continue to prescribe brand-name drugs. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore physicians’ patterns of prescribing brand-name drugs over generic drugs. This study was guided by the medical home model, which was developed in 1967 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The study incorporated a purposeful sampling approach with a sample size of 151 physicians. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the associations between cost of treatment using generic medications and determinants of physicians’ pattern of prescribing brand-name medications over generic medications. There were no statistically significant associations between physician belief of cost using generic medications and determinants of physicians’ pattern of prescribing brand-name medications over generic medications, suggesting that physicians’ prescription patterns are not solely determined by cost of the drug to the patients. The positive social change implication of this study is in the awareness that it generates among physicians, with evidence to suggest the need for more education on the utility of generic drugs instead of brand-name medications. Generic Drugs: Physician Prescribing Practices for Brand-Name and Generic Medications by Tamuno Raymond George MHSA.Strayer University, 2007 MBA,Strayer University,2006 BSN, North Carolina Central University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Healthcare Administration Walden University August 2016 Acknowledgements First of all, I would like to give thanks to my God, my Lord and savior, for without him this research work would not have been possible. I would also give thanks to my beloved mother who started this educational journey with me in Nigeria. My mother, the love of my life, could not live to see this day as she died in 2013 and was laid to rest in 2014. My sincere thanks goes to my beloved wife Gloria George, and my children, Joshua George, Grace George, Abigail George, Joseph George, and Benjamin George: They supported me throughout my academics and motivated me to complete this research. I would also like to express my whole-hearted gratitude to my committee chairperson, Dr. Amy Thompson, as well as Dr. Amy Wilson Sango, and my URR person, Dr. Gedete Fufaa for their unlimited guidance. Also, thank you to my classmates, and my friends whose constant and immense support has been a foundation of continuous inspiration and guidance.