title: Perceptions of the population regarding generic drugs in Brazil: a nationwide survey.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo Center for Health Economics (GRIDES), Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740, São Paulo, CEP- 04023-062, Brasil. epnardi@unifesp.br.
authors.forename: Elene P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.affiliation: São Paulo Center for Health Economics (GRIDES), Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740, São Paulo, CEP- 04023-062, Brasil. mbfcpes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marcos B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Discipline of Rheumatology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av 28 de Setembro, 77 - sala 333, Vila Isabel, CEP 20551-030, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. geraldo.castelar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Geraldo R C
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mc Master University, 1280 Main St West, Office HSC 2C20, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. kowalski@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Sérgio C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 740, CEP- 04023-062, São Paulo, Brasil. eisato@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Emilia I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D016568:Drugs, Generic