Province of San Antonio de Padua – Philippines

ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR (OFM) – FRANCISCANS

Christ the King College of Calbayog City, Inc.
THE PIONEER CATHOLIC FRANCISCAN INSTITUTION OF EASTERN VISAYAS
Founded 1905
INSTITUTE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
_____________
Fraternitas Studiositas Minoritas Oratio et Devotio

PROPOSED TOPIC AND PRELIMINARY THESIS OUTLINE

DATE: February 6, 2024
NAME OF STUDENTS:
CABUG-OS, JENNIFER L.
CALDERON, HANZ RAILEY I.
DALITON, CRYSTAL DAWN
DE DIOS, MARIA CARMEN B
DELA TONGA, AIKA MAY L.
DI, MEG Y.
EL HOURANI, PRINCE AMIR S.
FLORIDA, MARK JOHNN T
GALBAN, ALYANA GRACE R.
GENSIS, MYRIL M.
SANCHEZ, ROSE BHAN MAC A.

COURSE: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

PROPOSED TITLE: BRANDED VS GENERIC DRUGS: COMMON PERSPECTIVE AMONG

WORKING AGE POPULATION IN BARANGAY CENTRAL, CALBAYOG CITY.

Introduction

Historically, branded medications have been associated with better effects for patients and client

service compared to their generic counterparts. Since then, additional research has cast doubt on this

belief, demonstrating that generic medications are frequently just as dependable and efficient as their

branded equivalents. Generic drugs are manufactured without the use of patented or trademarked

ingredients. The FDA approves these generics for safety and efficacy based on evidence of their

bioequivalence to the branded drug. Generics are also required to have the same labeling, indications,

and usage as the branded product. Generic drugs may be preferred as they provide more affordable

prices and recognize the value of generic drugs usually have lower price than brand counterparts.

However, perceived doubts regarding the quality and equivalence of generics remain questionable.

There are certain studies suggesting that general preference still tends to lean toward branded medicines

as they are believed to be of superior quality than generics.

Individuals in pain or illness seek the most optimal treatment available, expeditiously, and

without compromising on the quality. They would always choose the best regardless of the cost, unless

left with no choice. In addition, they would always go with what drug has always worked best for them
 Province of San Antonio de Padua – Philippines
ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR (OFM) – FRANCISCANS
Christ the King College of Calbayog City, Inc.
THE PIONEER CATHOLIC FRANCISCAN INSTITUTION OF EASTERN VISAYAS
Founded 1905
INSTITUTE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
_____________
Fraternitas Studiositas Minoritas Oratio et Devotio

or others in their past conditions, what their doctors have recommended, and what they are familiar with

or accustomed to. Hence, people, especially those who can afford may always go for expensive drugs

rather than cheaper ones as these products are what has always been introduced into the public through

advertisements and are known to be of higher quality than the latter. Additionally, the public views

science, especially medical science, as reliable and logical source of information, which explains why

they would consider all those ads featuring men in white just as trustworthy.

The misleading conception about generic medication and branded counterparts created a tint of

gray to the ethical aspects of medical treatment in the Philippines. Thus, to put an end to the general

concerns on the quality of generic drugs, the government conducted bioequivalence testing on generic

drugs and enacted Republic Act 6675 or the Generics Act of 1988 to require the generic labeling by drug

manufacturers, generic prescriptions by doctors, generic dispensing by pharmacist, and the choice of

generics by consumers.

However, while there has been established laws regarding generics use, certain studies suggests

that Filipinos still tend to rely on branded drugs than generic ones. According to the Philippine

pharmaceutical price survey, approximately 67% of respondents believed that generics were of inferior

quality than branded medicines (Batangan and Juban, 2009). Another study shows that majority of their

participants selected randomly, primarily target branded medicines because they are widely used and

popular. Additionally, some participants claim that branded medications are safer than generic ones

(Alam, Caparos, Deguzman, and Valenzuela, 2022).

Furthermore, upon asking certain local individuals about their general preference on drugs and as

advocate of economical and practical health care practice, we have noticed these individuals are also still

reluctant to procure themselves generic medications to treat their illness and hesitant to promote its use

among their family members because firstly: branded drugs are more potent than generics; secondly,

expensive drugs promise faster healing and recovery than cheap ones; third established goodwill by and

reputations of branded drugs fosters peace of mind than generic drugs do; and lastly, there still has a lot
 Province of San Antonio de Padua – Philippines
ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR (OFM) – FRANCISCANS
Christ the King College of Calbayog City, Inc.
THE PIONEER CATHOLIC FRANCISCAN INSTITUTION OF EASTERN VISAYAS
Founded 1905
INSTITUTE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
_____________
Fraternitas Studiositas Minoritas Oratio et Devotio

of hidden reasons as to what influences their choices, which the researchers would like to dig deeper on .

Thus, this remains a considerable issue as to why individuals still prefer branded rather than generics

regardless of its costly characteristics.

As much debate still surrounds over the use of generic drugs - medicines that are frequently

essential to attempt to keep healthcare expenses under control, it is crucial to understand the perspectives

of consumers with regards to these medications and their usage. Hence the primary objective of this

paper is to assess working-age opinions (including perspectives, behaviors, attitudes and knowledge) of

generic and branded medicines. This study will also aim to understand what are the factors affecting

their choice and to come up with a solution, platforms and advocacies specific for this issue. This study

will use a qualitative approach and will function around working-age population or individual aging 25

to 50 as they are the one who mostly have the capacity to purchase branded drugs. Adding up, this study

will not only promote generics use but will also lessen the economic burden in drug purchasing of each

individual.

For this end, the researchers were interested to delve into this topic as they deem it as necessary

to probe and further unearth spectrum of perspectives or perceptions of working-age individuals

pertaining to the tug-of-war between branded and generic medications. As future healthcare providers,

aside from bringing our patients from illness to wellness, we aim to put emphasis in guiding them

towards health by maximizing their economics.

Statement of the Problem

This study will aim to determine the common perspective among working-age population in Barangay

Central, Calbayog City.

Specifically, it will seek to obtain the following objectives:

1. What is the profile of the respondent in terms of:

1.1 Age
 Province of San Antonio de Padua – Philippines
ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR (OFM) – FRANCISCANS
Christ the King College of Calbayog City, Inc.
THE PIONEER CATHOLIC FRANCISCAN INSTITUTION OF EASTERN VISAYAS
Founded 1905
INSTITUTE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
_____________
Fraternitas Studiositas Minoritas Oratio et Devotio

1.2 Sex

1.3 Socioeconomic status

1.4 Average monthly income (for private and contractual/casual government employment) or

Salary grade (for REGULAR government employment)

1.5 Nature and Status of Employment

2. What are the factors affecting respondents’ drug preferences in terms of:

2.1 Practices and decisiveness

2.2 Pricing

2.3 Timing and Circumstances

2.4 Packaging

2.5 Perceived effectiveness

2.6 Branding and goodwill

2.7 Drug onset (long-term or short-term intake)

2.8 Other factors

3. Is there a significant difference between the profile of the respondents and the factors affecting

their drug preferences?

4. What program/intervention may be formulated to address the significant findings of the study?
 Province of San Antonio de Padua – Philippines
ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR (OFM) – FRANCISCANS
Christ the King College of Calbayog City, Inc.
THE PIONEER CATHOLIC FRANCISCAN INSTITUTION OF EASTERN VISAYAS
Founded 1905
INSTITUTE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
_____________
Fraternitas Studiositas Minoritas Oratio et Devotio

Proposed topic has been discussed with/approved by the College

Dean/Thesis/Professor/Adviser:

CABUG-OS, JENNIFER L. CALDERON, HANZ RAILEY I. DALITON, CRYSTAL DAWN

DE DIOS, MARIA CARMEN B. DELA TONGA, AIKA MAY L.

DI, MEG Y.

EL HOURANI, PRINCE AMIR S. FLORIDA, MARK JOHNN T. GALBAN, ALYANA GRACE R.

GENSIS, MYRIL M. SANCHEZ, ROSE BHAN MAC A.

Recommending Approval:

__________________________ GLORIMAE S. RIZABAL RN, MAN

Thesis Writing Adviser Research Coordinator

_____________________ ___________________
Panelist Panelist

APPROVED: CONFIRMED:
 Province of San Antonio de Padua – Philippines
ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR (OFM) – FRANCISCANS
Christ the King College of Calbayog City, Inc.
THE PIONEER CATHOLIC FRANCISCAN INSTITUTION OF EASTERN VISAYAS
Founded 1905
INSTITUTE OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
_____________
Fraternitas Studiositas Minoritas Oratio et Devotio

______________________ ____________________________
Thesis Writing Adviser
GERALD D. FIEL, RN, MAN-MSN, DNM
Dean, INAHSBS