CONSIDERATIONS ON THE EFFICACY, SAFETY AND ACCEPTANCE OF GENERIC MEDICINES BY USERS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals represent a fundamental resource in the health area, since they are used to treat, cure or prevent a wide range of medical conditions. Generic drugs were created to reduce the costs of pharmaceutical treatments and were officially implemented in Brazil in 1999. This research aims to understand the efficacy, safety and acceptance of generic drugs by users and professionals of the Unified Health System. To develop the research, a bibliographic review was undertaken that included consultations on platforms such as SciELO, Capes and Google Scholar, in addition to the legislation pertinent to the topic. The research allows us to state that generics have a fundamental representation in treatments, due to the high prices of reference drugs. However, the acceptance of these options by the public is not yet consolidated, a factor that is directly linked to the recommendation of health professionals, in addition to the understanding of the efficacy of these drugs. It was possible to conclude that, for generic medicines to truly enhance access to healthcare, a collaborative and harmonized effort is essential, with the active participation of healthcare professionals, comprehensive awareness campaigns and efficient public policies to encourage conscious and rational use.