Americans Likely Will
Seek Low-Priced Generic Drugs At Discount Retail Chains
By BECKEY
BRIGHT
October 11, 2006, WSJ.com
A new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive
health-care poll suggests low-priced generic drugs soon to be sold by
stores such as Wal-Mart Stores are likely to attract a big share of
the market for prescription drugs.
The online survey of 2,493 adults suggests that whenever
there is an acceptable equivalent, a majority of Americans would choose a
generic over a brand-name prescription medicine. Nearly a fourth said they
would always purchase the generic and 28% said they would "much more
often" do so, compared with 19% who said they would always or much more
often choose the brand-name drug.
Thirty-nine percent of those polled said they currently
most often buy prescription drugs at a chain drug store, such as Walgreen
or Eckerd, while 13% buy from a discount store such as Wal-Mart, Target or
Sam's Club and 11% order online or by mail.
However, recent announcements by Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart
that those stores would offer some generic drugs at a discount may
influence where consumers fill their future prescriptions, the survey
indicates.
Half of those polled said they would be likely, very likely
or "absolutely certain" to fill prescriptions at these stores, compared
with another 25% who said they were somewhat likely and 26% who said they
were not at all likely.
See complete results of the poll:
"Where do you go most often to buy prescription
drugs for yourself or a family member? Please select one answer
only."
Base: All adults
| |
Total |
| Purchase Prescription Drugs (NET)
|
93% |
| A chain drug store like
Walgreens, CVS or Eckerd |
39 |
| The pharmacy at a discount
store like Wal-Mart, Target or Sam's Club |
13 |
| A local independent pharmacy
|
12 |
| Online or by mail order |
11 |
| The pharmacy at a
supermarket like Safeway, Shop Rite or Kroger |
10 |
| The pharmacy at a hospital
or medical center |
5 |
| Somewhere else |
3 |
| Never purchase prescription drugs |
7 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to
rounding.
* * *
"If you had a choice between getting a brand
name prescription drug or a generic drug, how often would you choose one
over the other?"
Base: Those who purchase prescription drugs
| |
Total |
| Would Choose Generic More Often
(NET) |
68% |
| I would always choose to buy
generic drugs over brand name |
23 |
| I would much more often
choose to buy generic drugs than brand name |
28 |
| I would somewhat more often
choose to buy generic drugs than brand name |
17 |
| Would Choose Brand Name More Often
(NET) |
32% |
| I would somewhat more often
choose to buy brand name drugs than generic |
14 |
| I would much more often
choose to buy brand name drugs than generic |
10 |
| I would always choose to buy
brand name prescription drugs over generic |
9 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to
rounding.
* * *
"What is the most you would be willing to pay
out-of-pocket for a 30-day supply of generic prescription drugs?"
Base: Those who would choose to purchase a generic
drug
| |
Total |
| Nothing |
5% |
| $10.00 or less |
40 |
| $10.01 - $25.00 |
36 |
| $25.01 - $50.00 |
15 |
| More than $50.00 |
5 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to
rounding.
* * *
"Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart announced that they
will begin selling some generic prescription drugs at discounted
prices in some parts of the country. Wal-Mart and Target will sell a
30-day supply of these drugs for $4.00 and Kmart will sell a 90-day supply
for $15.00. How likely will you be to fill your prescriptions with generic
drugs purchased in these stores?"
Base: Those who purchase prescription drugs
| |
Total |
| Absolutely Certain/Very
Likely/Likely (NET) |
50% |
| Absolutely certain that I
will |
13 |
| Very likely |
20 |
| Likely |
17 |
| Not at All/Somewhat Likely (NET)
|
50% |
| Somewhat likely |
25 |
| Not at all likely |
26 |
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to
rounding.
Methodology:
Harris Interactive conducted this online survey within the
U.S. between Oct. 4 and 6, 2006 among a national cross section of 2,493
adults. Figures for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income and
region were weighted where necessary to align with population proportions.
Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents'
propensity to be online. In theory, with probability samples of this size,
one could say with 95% certainty the results have a statistical precision
of +/- 3 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult
population had been polled with complete accuracy.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is a world-wide market research and
consulting firm, best known for The Harris Poll and its use of the
Internet to conduct scientifically accurate market research. For more
information, see http://www.harrisinteractive.com/1.
To become a participant in The Harris Poll Online and join future online
surveys, see http://www.harrispollonline.com/2.
Write to Beckey Bleft at mailto:beckey.bright@wsj.com3