Abstract

Background: “Me-too drugs” are usually defined as drugs with a similar chemical structure or the identical mechanism of action as the drugs that are previously in the market. The availability of the promising first-in-class drug is generally followed by the development of drugs with similar properties, “me-too drugs,” or follow-on drugs.

Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to study the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of “me-too drugs” among prescribers in the tertiary care hospitals.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a validated questionnaire. This questionnaire assessed KAP of “me-too drugs” of the prescribers from consultants and postgraduates in the tertiary care hospitals of South India. Informed consent was taken from the study participants. The analysis of data was done using suitable statistical tests.

Results: About 73% of doctors were aware that “me-too drugs” have identical chemical structure as the prototype drug in the therapeutic class. Among the participants 54% (disagreed) and 29% (agreed) that information about the benefits and safety of “me-too drugs” is inadequate. The total work experience of doctors had a maximum association (effect size = 12.6%, P = 0.0001) on knowledge. The majority of the prescribers opined that “me-too drugs” are heavily marketed than generic drugs. More drugs in a therapeutic class did not make treatment decisions difficult for the majority of the participants.

Conclusion: The prescribers had very good knowledge and a positive attitude toward me-too drugs. The prescribers preferred to prescribe generic drugs over “me-too drugs.” Untoward side effects, heavy marketing and pricing of follow-on drugs were of real concern.

Key words: Me-too Drugs; Prescribers; Follow-on Drugs; Prototype Drug; Therapeutic Class