PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Omar A. Almohammed AU - Leen A. Aldwihi AU - Abdullah A. Alhifany TI - Public knowledge, perception, and experience with generic medications in Saudi Arabia AID - 10.15537/smj.2020.4.24992 DP - 2020 Apr 01 TA - Saudi Medical Journal PG - 413--420 VI - 41 IP - 4 4099 - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/4/413.short 4100 - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/4/413.full SO - Saudi Med J2020 Apr 01; 41 AB - Objectives: To assess the public knowledge and perception about generic medications in Saudi Arabia, and their willingness to use generic medications.Methods: This cross-sectional, online-questionnaire-based study was conducted between May and July 2019, including participants who can read and complete an Arabic online survey. Chi-square test and contingency coefficient were used to investigate differences in different segments of participants and assess the association between knowledge and perception.Results: A total of 397 participants have completed the survey. One-half of them were female, the majority were of young age (<35 years), and 40% of them were buying their medications independently. Only 40.5% of participants had adequate knowledge and 60% of them had positive perception on generics. Participants with higher level of education were more likely to have adequate knowledge (p=0.002) and positive perception (p=0.006). The study found a moderate relationship between knowledge and perception about generics (standardized C=0.35, p<0.001). The country of origin for medications was a significant indicator of quality for two-thirds of participants, and one-half of them believed that local generics can compete with imported ones. About one-half of participants used generics and the majority of them were satisfied with their experience.Conclusion: There is a general lack of knowledge, while having a positive perception on generic medications among the general public in Saudi Arabia. Future studies should focus on strategies to improve it and assess its cost-savings consequences while maintaining quality of care.