Generic Medicines in Iraq

Generic medicines provide an opportunity for major savings in health care expenditure to both government and consumers Within this context, no studies have been conducted in Iraq regarding the perceptions held by physicians, pharmacists, consumers and future practitioners such as medical and pharmacy students towards the prescribing, substitution, and use of generic medicines Therefore, the aims of this research were to investigate perceptions and knowledge held by both the healthcare providers and consumers toward the quality use of generic medicines in Iraq.this work highlights the existing barriers to the usage of generic medicines in Iraq from the points of view of physicians, pharmacists and consumers. In order to overcome these barriers, actions are needed to elevate confidence in generic medicines among healthcare practitioners. This can be achieved by providing appropriate topics at the undergraduate level, clarifying bioequivalence, safety and efficacy of generic medicines which appears to be currently lacking.