Healthcare provider opinions about a generic drug educational newsletter

Natalie S Hohmann; Kimberly B Garza; Daniel Surry; Richard A Hansen; Ilene Harris; Zippora Kiptanui; Oluwamurewa Oguntimein; Mitchell M Frost; Jingjing Qian

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.001

Healthcare provider opinions about a generic drug educational newsletter

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2020 Sep;16(9):1228-1236. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.001. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Authors

Natalie S Hohmann¹, Kimberly B Garza², Daniel Surry³, Richard A Hansen⁴, Ilene Harris⁵, Zippora Kiptanui⁶, Oluwamurewa Oguntimein⁷, Mitchell M Frost⁸, Jingjing Qian⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy Practice, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, 4201 Walker Building, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. Electronic address: Nsh0010@auburn.edu.
² Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, 4306 Walker Building, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. Electronic address: KBL0005@auburn.edu.
³ Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, 4306 Walker Building, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. Electronic address: dws0015@auburn.edu.
⁴ Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, 4306 Walker Building, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. Electronic address: Rah0019@auburn.edu.
⁵ IMPAQ International LLC, IMPAQ Int., Columbia, MD, 21044, USA. Electronic address: IHarris@impaqint.com.
⁶ IMPAQ International LLC, IMPAQ Int., Columbia, MD, 21044, USA. Electronic address: zkiptanui@impaqint.com.
⁷ U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Generic Drugs (OGD), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Bldg. 75, Silver Spring, MD, 20993-0002, USA. Electronic address: Oluwamurewa.oguntimein@fda.hhs.gov.
⁸ U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Generic Drugs (OGD), 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Bldg. 75, Silver Spring, MD, 20993-0002, USA. Electronic address: Mitchell.Frost@fda.hhs.gov.
⁹ Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, 4306 Walker Building, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. Electronic address: jzq0004@auburn.edu.

PMID: 31838057
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.001

Abstract

Background: Increasing the prescribing and dispensing of generic drugs, compared to branded drugs, may increase patient access to affordable drug treatments. Healthcare providers have information needs regarding generic drugs, but available, tailored education materials designed for provider use are lacking.

Objectives: To examine healthcare provider opinions and receptivity regarding generic drug educational materials in content, format and design, delivery channel, and level of satisfaction.

Methods: A national online survey was conducted in summer 2018 to gather practicing healthcare prescribers' (i.e., physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) and pharmacists' opinions on an educational newsletter developed through a collaboration between the investigators and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Quantitative analyses were performed using SPSS version 24 (IBM, Armonk, NY), while responses to open-ended questions were assessed using qualitative content analysis in Excel.

Results: A total of 208 surveys were completed. Overall, participants expressed positive opinions about the newsletter's content and format/design. About 69% of prescribers and 60% of pharmacists stated the newsletter gave information that will help them better serve patients. While 15% of surveyed pharmacists stated that they did not have resources to help them get information on generic drug availability and cost, more prescribers (37%) responded similarly. Both prescribers and pharmacists preferred to receive this newsletter via email from the FDA or a professional association.

Conclusions: Findings indicate the feasibility of educational outreach programs about generic drugs targeted towards healthcare providers. There is room for improvement in making prescribers and pharmacists aware of resources for learning about generic drug availability and cost. Future studies may test alternate versions of the newsletter that have been tailored to the needs of specific provider specialties or provider practices serving specific patient sub-groups, as well as preferred dissemination frequency.

Keywords: Educational materials; Generic drugs; Health communication; Newsletter; Prescribers and pharmacists; Provider education.

MeSH terms

Attitude
Drugs, Generic*
Health Education
Health Personnel
Humans
Pharmacists*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

Drugs, Generic

Grants and funding

U01 FD005486/FD/FDA HHS/United States