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Table 2 Factors facilitating counselling about generic substitution (GS) and the reference price system (RPS)

From: Factors facilitating and hindering counselling about generic substitution and a reference price system in community pharmacies - a survey among Finnish dispensers

Main category

Respondentsa (n = 378)

Subcategory

n (%)b

Customers’ characteristics

138 (36.5)

 Awareness of GS and RPS

64 (46.4)

 Interested in the subject, responsive to information, or a positive attitude towards GS and RPS

55 (39.9)

 Ability to understand the GS and RPS counselling

25 (18.1)

 Other (e.g. customer’s financial situation, age)

14 (10.1)

Information systems used in the pharmacy and their features

107 (28.3)

 The information systems provide (clearly and easily) information on interchangeable medicines

71 (66.4)

 Systems are easy to use, simple and function well

25 (23.4)

 Other (e.g. computer screen helps to illustrate the counselling)

14 (13.1)

Matters related to the features of interchangeable medicines

82 (21.7)

 Price (e.g. large price differences between preparations, stability of price changes)

59 (72.0)

 Similar names of interchangeable medicines

8 (9.8)

 Familiar or reliable manufacturer

6 (7.3)

 Interchangeable alternatives for the medicine available within the reference price band

5 (6.1)

 Other (e.g. the medicine is new to the customer, a local medicine brand)

13 (15.9)

The medicine is available

61 (16.1)

 The medicine is in stock at the pharmacy

42 (68.9)

 The medicine is available from a wholesaler

17 (27.9)

 The medicine is available

13 (21.3)

There is enough time for counselling and there is no hurry

61 (16.1)

The dispenser is professionally skilled

30 (7.9)

 Dispenser’s competence in GS and RPS (e.g. knowledge of GS and the RPS)

18 (60.0)

 Dispenser can provide clear counselling

8 (26.7)

 Dispenser recognizes the counselling as a legal obligation

7 (23.3)

 Other (e.g. dispenser’s own activeness)

2 (6.7)

Other

61 (16.1)

 Clear instructions for GS

8 (13.1)

 Prescription-related subjects

8 (13.1)

 Information from wholesalers

3 (4.9)

 Other

42 (68.9)

  1. aRespondents could list several factors; b Percentages of respondents in the main categories are calculated from the respondents to the question (n = 378), percentages of respondents in subcategories are calculated within its main category