Table 2.

Examples of the patients’ reasons for refusing generic substitution (n = 50; multiple responses)

Reason for refusing generic substitution	Number of responses (%)
Suspected the non-branded drugs of being fake medications	12 (19.7)
“No. 1”/brand-name medication is the best	10 (14.8)
Used to the “no. 1”/brand-name drug	9 (14.8)
The physician should decide (since he/she knows my body best)	9 (14.8)
Uncertain about the substitution in general	8 (13.1)
Fear/experience of side-effects	4 (6.6)
Cheaper medication is of poorer quality	3 (4.9)
Fear/experience of poorer effect	3 (4.9)
Felt better about the brand-name drug	2 (3.3)
Warning from family and friends	1 (1.6)
Distrust in drugs produced outside Norway	1 (1.6)