An unprecedented study by the Brazilian Association of Generic Drug Manufacturers, Progenéricos, compiled data on medical prescriptions and the performance of this category of drugs in retail sales.
The entity found that generics account for 9 of the 20 products most prescribed by Brazilian doctors, representing 45% of the total. The data comes from the Close Up Institute, which audits medical prescriptions in the country.
Prescription Ranking
For the Brazilian Association of Generic Drug Manufacturers, Prógenéricos, generics occupy a good position in the ranking of medical prescriptions in the country, but there is still room for growth.
“Although doctors trust generic drugs, they are still greatly influenced by reference brands and similar companies that invest in direct advertising aimed at these professionals. It is necessary to consider the social conditions of patients and remember that generic drugs are safe, effective, and substantially cheaper than other products,” emphasizes Telma Salles, executive president of the entity.
In Retail
The study also noted that in retail, generics account for only four products among the 20 best-selling items in Brazilian pharmacies, according to data from IMS Health, a consulting firm specializing in auditing drug sales in Brazil. Generics account for ___% of total sales of the best-selling products. The sum of sales in the ranking in units accounts for ____% of total sales in the sector in units.
It is worth noting, however, that among the 20 best-selling products in terms of units sold, three of them do not have generic versions. In the list of blockbusters, ___ products are over-the-counter drugs, known as MIPs (acronym for the term medicamentos isentos de prescrição, or over-the-counter drugs).
Ranking Units
Among the 20 best-selling products by revenue, generics account for six products and represent ___% of the sales revenue of the products listed in the ranking. The ranking of best-sellers, in turn, represents ___% of the total revenue of the pharmaceutical sector in the country. The presence of MIPs in the ranking that classifies products by revenue is lower than in units.
Revenue Ranking
For PróGenéricos, the study shows that the strength of generics lies in prescription drugs for the treatment of chronic diseases. "It is through increased access to these products that generics are gaining more and more space in the Brazilian market," says Salles.
Expansion
In the first two months of 2014, generics recorded an 18% growth in sales volume, accumulating 130.8 million units sold, compared to 112.5 million last year. In terms of value, sales in this category reached a cumulative total of R$2.3 billion between January and February 2014, accumulating growth of 21.7%.
The savings accumulated by Brazilian consumers who chose to replace brand-name products with generics from 2000 to 2013 has already reached R$43.4 billion.
Record Market Share
Since arriving in Brazilian pharmacies in 2000, generic drugs have become the fastest-growing category of drugs in terms of sales during this period. With annual growth rates above double digits, generics already accounted for 28.2% of the market share last February, the highest result ever achieved by the sector.
Popular Pharmacy
Salles also points out that government pharmaceutical assistance programs, such as Farmácia Popular, are also fundamental to the growth of the sector and the strengthening of companies. "Today, in the public sector, more than a legal requirement, doctors prescribe generics because they know that the product works, that it is of high quality, and that the population can afford it," he says. Generic drugs account for 85% of sales under the Farmácia Popular program, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
About ProGenerics
Founded in January 2001, the Brazilian Association of Generic Drug Manufacturers (Pró Genéricos) is an entity that brings together the main laboratories involved in the production and marketing of generic drugs in the country.
A non-profit organization, its main mission is to contribute to improving access to medicines in Brazil by consolidating and expanding the generic drug market.
Together, PróGenéricos members account for approximately 90% of generic drug sales in Brazil. Working with various sectors of society and public and private institutions, Pró Genéricos channels the actions of its members, adding weight to the public debate on issues relevant to the health sector and the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Brazil. Visit the website: www.progenericos.org.br