Generic drugs are required to be pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent to their brand-name therapeutic equivalents, but may differ in their physical appearance (e.g., color, shape, size, or markings). This may result in patient confusion and safety and efficacy concerns about the generic drug product, and may cause patients to change or discontinue their medication, which could lead to harmful clinical and public health consequences. Alternatively, differences in appearance may help patients identify their drugs and promote positive public health outcomes. The extent to which differences in appearance between therapeutically equivalent products create or reduce patient confusion, affect patient medication adherence, or are handled by pharmacists is currently unknown. This project will conduct a survey of pharmacists and two surveys of patients regarding their perspectives on and experiences with generic drugs that differ in appearance from previous refills of the same medication. The goals of the surveys are to provide insight into the beliefs about and experiences with changes in the appearance of generic medications, the strategies pharmacists use to notify patients of changes in appearance, and how drug appearance may be related to patient outcomes such as confidence in and adherence to medication regimens.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
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