Harris Poll: Americans prefer generic Rx, OTC products

NEW YORK — A new survey has found that whether its an OTC product or a prescription, 69% of those polled said they would choose a generic prescription drug over a brand-name medication. About 30% said they would always choose a generic. 

 

Some 31% of those surveyed would prefer brand-name prescriptions to a generic, with millennials preferring them the most (38% compared to 30% of Gen X and 27% of Boomers). Additionally, 36% of parents are more likely to choose brand-name prescription drugs, compared to the 28% of those without kids who would. 

 

In terms of paying for their medication, 48% said that they would prefer to pay $10 or less for a 30-day supply of their prescription medication, and 31% would be OK with paying between $10.01 and $25 for a 30-day supply, but only 4% would want to pay more than $50 for generics for themselves (11% would pay that for a child). 

 

In the OTC category, 63% said they would choose a generic product more often than a name brand one, with 24% saying they always choose generics. Fifty-two percent of parents choose generic OTC products, but 63% of urban parents choose brand-name products, compared to 32% of suburban and 37% of rural parents who do. 

 

When it comes to making their prescription purchases, chain drug stores win the day, with 50% of those surveyed shopping there. Twenty-eight percent said they use discounters, 23% pick up their medicine at the supermarket and 16% do online or mail order prescription ordering. Local pharmacy’s pull in 12% of those polled, and 9% use a hospital pharmacy or medical center. Older generations (90% of mature shoppers and 95% of baby boomers) purchase prescription drugs, and are also more likely than even millennials to do so online. 

 

Discounters lead the pack for OTC purchases, with 57% saying that’s their preferred destination. Chain drug stores are still the place for 51% of shoppers to pick up OTC products. Thirty-two percent go to supermarkets, 10% use local pharmacies and 5% use online or mail-order services. Chain drug stores are also the preferred destination for millennials, 61% of whom purchase OTC products there.