GENERIC DRUGS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS AND CONSUMER PERCEPTION

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate in the scientific literature consumer perceptions regarding generic drugs in Brazil. Methodology: Bibliographic research with theoretical basis on the perception of consumers during 20 years of the generic. Results: They pointed out that the price variance, the perception of consumers over the years was mostly that they consider the value of the generic drug lower than the reference drug. Regarding quality and safety, which can also be considered as trustworthy, what patients consider varies, where they believe that the generic medicine has the same effect as the reference medicine. The use and preference of generic drugs and factors are linked to price and it is clear that the population does use the generic drug, but it is not yet their greatest preference. Conclusions: The perception obtained based on the scientific literature pointed out that the majority that over the 20 years, consumers consider the generic drug with lower value than the reference. The quality and efficacy of the generic medicine according to consumers is considerable as equal to the reference medicine. The use and preference of the generic drug is still relatively low even to the detriment of the value being lower than the reference value.