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Table 3 Unifying themes and contributing sub-themes from patient/consumer papers

From: What do people really think of generic medicines? A systematic review and critical appraisal of literature on stakeholder perceptions of generic drugs

Theme

Sub-themes

Examples of contributing papers

Patients’ lack of confidence in generic medicines

a. Scepticism

[18, 20, 59, 63, 65, 66, 6872, 7679, 81]

b. Provision of poor or poorly understood information

[19, 59, 63, 70, 7779]

c. Concerns regarding packaging and/or appearance of generic medicines

[59, 63, 65, 66, 69, 70, 75]

Patients’ actual experiences in using generic medicines

a. Poor experience

[59, 60, 63, 65, 72, 76, 81]

b. Not exclusively negative

[18, 59, 60, 65, 66, 73]

c. Difficulties associated with treatment adherence or compliance

[63, 66, 70, 72, 75, 81]

Factors influencing patient acceptance of generic medicines

a. Patient involvement in decision-making

[19, 20, 65, 66, 76]

b. Advanced age incompatible with generic use

[60, 73]

c. Income/education level

[68, 69, 77]

d. Severity of illness/drug type

[19, 63, 68, 69, 77, 78, 81, 83]

e. Nocebo

[17, 59]

Provision of information and education regarding generic medicines

a. Education and support

[19, 60, 63, 66, 68, 72, 74, 75, 79, 83]

b. Source of information, including physician versus pharmacist

[70, 71, 78]