The confidence of doctors has had a positive impact on the generic drug market in Brazil. A study by the Brazilian Association of Generic Drug Manufacturers, PróGenéricos, cross-referenced data on the most commonly prescribed generics (Close Up Institute) and the best-selling products (IMS Health) over a one-year period (July 2013 to July 2014). Four of the generics most prescribed by doctors are among the 10 best-selling generics, all intended for the control of chronic diseases, the sector's biggest "gold mine." They are: Losartan (hypertension), Atenolol (hypertension), Hydrochlorothiazide (hypertension), and Metformin (high cholesterol). The revenue generated by sales of the 10 most sold generics in Brazil is R$3.6 billion, which corresponds to 24.3% of the sector's total sales in a year, which amount to R$15.1 billion. "We are talking about practically ¼ of the market," explains Telma Salles, executive president of PróGenéricos. In the executive's assessment, the alignment between prescriptions and the increase in sales of certain products is the result of a maturing generic drug policy and health surveillance in the country. "Generic drugs were developed based on a regulatory framework focused on product safety and quality, but also with the clear objective of expanding access to medicines through a low-price policy," says Salles. Among the 10 best-selling generics, five are intended for the control of chronic diseases. Among the 10 most prescribed, the reality is identical, as five products are also for continuous use. "We have some outliers in both lists that reflect the indication and consumption of seasonal products, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, which are more commonly used in the winter," she concludes.
| Best-Selling Generic – MAT July 2014 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Units | % Units x Total Generic | Dollars | % Dollars x Total Generic | % Reais x Total Generic – Exchange rate 2.27 – 09/09/2014 | |
| Losartan | 55.917.517 | 6,67% | 507.076.219 | 7,67% | 1.151.063.017 | |
| Sildenafil | 40.219.299 | 4,79% | 336.060.482 | 5,08% | 762.857.294 | |
| Sodium Dipyrone | 32.706.890 | 3,90% | 110.748.175 | 1,67% | 251.398.357 | |
| Atenolol | 28.920.518 | 3,45% | 120.111.291 | 1,82% | 272.652.631 | |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | 22.453.566 | 2,68% | 34.535.074 | 0,52% | 78.394.618 | |
| Metformin | 22.163.234 | 2,64% | 82.572.151 | 1,25% | 187.438.783 | |
| Enalapril | 21.690.147 | 2,59% | 181.873.713 | 2,75% | 412.853.329 | |
| Acetaminophen | 21.017.851 | 2,51% | 104.969.404 | 1,59% | 238.280.547 | |
| Nimesulide | 19.073.098 | 2,27% | 110.050.256 | 1,66% | 249.814.081 | |
| Albendazole | 19.048.138 | 2,27% | 32.038.326 | 0,48% | 72.727.000 | Share % |
| Total | 283.210.258 | 33,76% | 1.620.035.091 | 24,50% | 3.677.479.657 | 24,36% |
| Total Units | 838.902.702 | Total Dollars | 6.613.495.934 | 15.094.952.028 |
Most Prescribed Generic Drugs
Losartan
Hydrochlorothiazide
Amoxicillin
Cephalexin
Atenolol
Metformin
Ciprofloxacin
Sinavstatin
Azithromycin
Alprazolam