Perceived Utility of Jan Aushadhi Outlets and Awareness of Generic Medicines at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Despite being the leading exporter of generic medicines to the world, affordable medicines are still beyond the reach of most patients in India. Analysis of the National Sample Survey data showed that in one year, more than 55 million Indians became poor only because they had to spend their own money to purchase medicines. The Jan Aushadhi Scheme launched by the Government of India is an ambitious step to make quality generic drugs affordable to the common man of the country. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands about Jan Aushadhi Kendras and generic medicines. Materials and methods: The study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. A prevalidated self-made questionnaire was distributed to 200 patients visiting the OPD of different clinical departments in the hospital. Participants' knowledge, attitude, and perception of Jan Aushadhi Kendras and generic medicines were evaluated. Analysis of collected data was done using descriptive statistical measures such as mean and percentages. Results: It was found that most of the participants were not fully aware of the Jan Aushadhi Scheme and the facts about generic medicines. The majority of the participants were under the notion that generics were not similar in quality to the branded ones. Conclusion: The study observed that the patients had a very poor understanding of the Jan Aushadhi Scheme and generic medicines with the majority being ignorant and having incorrect information. To fill this gap, a more proactive approach by the healthcare workers and authorities is needed to disseminate the scheme-related facts, dispel the myths regarding generics, and accept the program wholeheartedly by the common man.