82% of consumers would accept a generic medicine if offered it by a doctor or pharmacist. That is according to research by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB).

The survey also shows that 92% that have used generic medicines have had a positive experience overall.

The survey findings also highlight a deep level of trust by Irish adults in healthcare professionals with GPs and pharmacists the most trusted sources of advice, at 64% and 31% respectively.

According to Pat O'Mahony, Chief Executive of the IMB, the findings provide reassurance that adults who are aware of generic medicines would accept substitution.

"Generic medicines meet exactly the same standards of quality and safety and have the same effect as the original branded medicines. Our research results indicate that this is well understood by patients and other members of the public. This is confirmed by the willingness of over 80% of those surveyed to accept and use generic medicines. It is noteworthy that this figure increases to over 90% among those people most familiar with generics" he said.

Generic substitution list

Mr. O'Mahony believes the findings are "particularly relevant in advance of the Government’s plans to introduce a system of generic substitution and reference pricing shortly".

Under this system, the IMB will publish a list of interchangeable medicines on its website showing medicines that can be safely substituted by pharmacists.

The immediate priority will be to review an initial 20 active substances which equates to approximately 1,500 individual medicines.

The findings also show that 1-in-4 people were not familiar with the term 'generic medicine' and that 17% of respondents would not currently accept a generic if they were offered it by a healthcare professional.

The main reason cited by those who would not accept a generic was their lack of understanding of it.