Table 2 Reasons why the dispenser does not inform the customer about the least expensive interchangeable product at the point of dispensing (n = 397)
Factors | Percent of cases % (n) a |
|---|---|
Small price difference between the least expensive and other interchangeable medicinal products | 68.3 (271) |
The least expensive interchangeable product is not available at the community pharmacy or from the pharmaceutical wholesaler | 51.9 (206) |
The customer has been using the same preparation for a shorter or longer period of time | 26.7 (106) |
Attributable to the customer (difficulty understanding the substitution, memory disorder, possible risk of confusing the substituted preparations) | 16.6 (66) |
The customer has previously declined the substitution, or the customer wishes to have the same preparation as before or the one prescribed by his/her physician | 13.4 (53) |
There are other interchangeable products available in the reference price band | 4.3 (17) |
The customer needs to have the medicine at once (e.g. antibiotics) | 3.8 (15) |
Work pressure in the pharmacy | 2.5 (10) |
The person purchasing the prescription is not the user of the medicine | 2.5 (10) |
Substitution does not affect the cost to the customer (e.g. full reimbursement, private insurance company, social assistance certificate) | 2.5 (10) |
Otherb | 10.3 (41) |