The Brazilian Generic Market

Abstract

Brazil is celebrating 10 years since the approval of its Generic Law that introduced the concept of unbranded generic medicines. Historically, the issue was first discussed at the end of 1980s to facilitate access to reliable medicines for a significant part of the Brazilian population, and to increase competition among companies after the corresponding patents expire and it is mandatory to commercialize generic medicines with the non-proprietary name in the package. Nowadays Brazil has generic medicines to treat almost all known illnesses, which have brought cost savings of around 10 billion reais (US$4.2 billion) since their introduction. Moreover, companies interested in producing generic medicines have improved and/or opened facilities, invested in machinery, trained staff to become competitive at the global level and, this way, have started to export products. Consumers with limited purchasing power turn to generic medicines despite the weak adherence of physicians, pharmacists and drugstore attendants. Interchangeability continues to be one of the challenges facing generics in Brazil. The next 3 years will offer significant opportunities because of the expiration of the patents of ‘block-buster’ medicines and consequently the launch of generic medicines.