Date: June 6, 2017
Published by: Notícias ao Minuto
The possibility of risk-free savings offered by generic drugs is leading a large portion of the population to consider this option when making purchases. The data comes from a study analyzing the purchasing profile of drug consumers, conducted by the Febrafar Institute for Research and Continuing Education (IFEPEC).
According to the survey, the number of Brazilians who consider this option when making a purchase is quite significant, with 37% of consumers indicating that they purchased generic drugs, another 32% purchased brand-name drugs, and 31% purchased a mix of both types.
"Generic drugs have overcome the initial and natural mistrust they faced in the market and are now part of consumers' choices. They have great competitive potential because of the savings they offer, with price being a key factor in the choice," says Edison Tamascia, president of Febrafar, which commissioned the survey.
He refers to the fact that the survey also points to the priority that consumers are giving to price over brand when purchasing medicines. According to the survey, 45% of consumers ended up buying products other than their initial target, and almost all of these customers were looking to save money.
“It is important to emphasize, however, that the customer is not going against medical advice, but rather seeking a real alternative, given that the generic drug has the same active ingredient, pharmaceutical form, and dosage as the original drug,” adds Tamascia.
The survey aimed to determine the characteristics of Brazilians' medicine purchases, as well as the type of medicine purchased, the rate of medicine switching, and the reasons that led to this switching.
According to the survey, of those interviewed who went to pharmacies, 72% purchased medications; however, only 24% bought exactly what they went to buy, 31% modified part of their purchase, and 45% exchanged medications of their own accord or at the recommendation of pharmacists.
“This fact demonstrates the existence of a very common characteristic among Brazilians, which is not being loyal to the product they went to the pharmacy to buy, listening to the pharmacists’ recommendations. The main factor for switching is price, showing that Brazilians are more concerned about their pockets,” explains the president of Febrafar. This statement is based on the fact that the survey found that 97% of respondents who switched medications purchased a lower-priced option.
The survey was conducted with 4,000 consumers throughout Brazil as they left the pharmacies where they had made their purchases.
See original: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com.br/brasil/397906/procura-por-genericos-cresce-com-a-crise-diz-pesquisa