LOW-RATE OF GENERIC PRESCRIBING IN THE REPUBLIC-OF-IRELAND COMPARED TO ENGLAND AND NORTHERN-IRELAND - PRESCRIBERS CONCERNS

We compared the level of generic prescribing in the Republic of Irelan d, Northern Ireland and England and surveyed the views of Irish Colleg e of General Practitioners members, In 1993, generic drugs (pure gener ics and branded generics together) comprised 17.4% of total dispensing in the General Medical Services Scheme, significantly less than North ern Ireland or England where pure generics alone comprised 25% and 38% respectively of total dispensing in the National Health Services, Gen eral practitioners accurately self-estimated their level of generic pr escribing but are concerned about the reliability/quality of generic p roducts on the market, possible legal liabilities associated with thei r use and the fact that pharmacists may legally dispense more expensiv e proprietary preparations in the case of private prescriptions writte n generically, Prescribers need reassurance regarding legal and qualit y assurance aspects of generic prescribing if the level of generic dru g use is to increase.