Perceptions of the population regarding generic drugs in Brazil: a nationwide survey

BMC Public Health

Emilia I Sato³  Sérgio C Kowalski²  Geraldo RC Pinheiro⁴  Marcos B Ferraz¹  Elene P Nardi¹ 

[1] São Paulo Center for Health Economics (GRIDES), Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740, São Paulo CEP- 04023-062, Brasil;Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mc Master University, 1280 Main St West, Office HSC 2C20, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada;Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740, São Paulo, CEP- 04023-062, Brasil;Department of Internal Medicine, Discipline of Rheumatology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av 28 de Setembro, 77 - sala 333, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20551-030, Brasil

关键词: Brazil;    Perception;    Nonproprietary;    Drugs;    Generic;    Drugs;   

Others  :  1127900
DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-015-1475-1

 received in 2014-10-27, accepted in 2015-01-27,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Generic drugs (GDs) offer a way to reduce health spending without sacrificing quality. Despite this, there are doubts as to their acceptance by the population. This work aims to assess perceptions of GDs among the Brazilian population.

Methods

We conducted a national household survey face-to-face between April and May 2013, with 5000 individuals aged over 15 years. The questions explored socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, the use of GDs, and perceptions about GDs as compared to brand drugs (BDs). The chi-square test was used to examine the associations between the perceptions and the characteristics of the population.

Results

Of the 5000 participants, 51.3% were women, 40.2% were white, 48.6% were between 15 and 34 years of age, and 52.3% had income of less than two minimum wages (US$627.78). In terms of the use of GDs, 44.6% of the participants were taking or had taken GDs in the past three months, with the highest figures among the elderly (61.1%) and female (49.2%) populations. Regarding perceptions, 30.4% of the respondents considered GDs less effective than BDs; provided the same price, 59% would prefer BD, and 45.8% agreed that physicians prefer to prescribe GDs. The most negative perceptions about GDs were observed among lower income, elderly and nonwhite populations.

Conclusion

The findings provide a better understanding of Brazilians’ perceptions regarding GDs. This should be considered when formulating healthcare policies aiming at improving access to effective and quality drugs, and reduction of health costs.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Nardi et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

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