世論 What Japan Thinks

With at least two manufacturers of generic medicines advertising on television, this recent survey from goo Research conducted in conjunction with the Yomiuri Shimbun, revealed a high degree of awareness of generic medicines in Japan.

Demographics

Over the end of May and the start of June 2008 1,010 members of the goo Research monitor panel aged forty or older completed a private internet-based questionnaire. More detailed demographics were not given.

I can’t be bothered with generics as I infrequently take medicines with generic substitutes, and the only one I tke regularly is still under patent, so there’s no generic alternative available.

Here’s an advertisement that often appears that asks people to pluck up the courage to ask the quack for an alternative.

Research results

Q1: Do you know about generic medicines? (Sample size=1,010)

Yes	82%
Just heard the term	14%
Don’t know anything	4%

Q2: Have you ever used generic medicines? (Sample size=1,010)

Yes (to SQ1)	23%
No (to SQ2)	48%
Don’t know	29%

Q2SQ1: How did you come to use generic medicines? (Sample size=228, multiple answer)

Doctor, pharmacist recommended them to me	64%
I asked the doctor, pharmacist about them	31%
Friends, family recommended them to me	4%
Other	4%
Don’t know	3%

Q2SQ2: Why have you not used generic medicines? (Sample size=488, multiple answer)

Doctor, pharmacist not recommended them to me	53%
Not interested in overruling the doctor	27%
Difficult to talk to doctor, pharmacist about them	21%
I’ve not got knowledge of generic medicines	11%
Hospital, pharmacy doesn’t dispense them	10%
Hardly ever go to the doctor	9%
Don’t want to use because of worries about the effectiveness or safety of them	8%
Other	4%
Don’t know	1%

Q3: Would you like to use, continue to use generic medicines in the future? (Sample size=1,010)

Definitely want to	32%
If they are recommended I want to	50%
If possible I want to avoid them	5%
Don’t want to use them	2%
Other	1%
Don’t know	10%