Revenue from the country's laboratories is already 50% of the sector

The revenues of the national laboratories already represents 50% of the total sales of the pharmaceutical sector in the country, according to data from IMS Health obtained by Value. This is the first time that Brazilian manufacturers of prescription drugs reaches such participation. In the last 12 months accumulated until June, industry revenues totaled r $ 47 billion. In 2000, when generics began to emerge in Brazil, the reigning sovereign, multinationals with 75% share in the Brazilian market.
In volume, the evolution of the medicines produced by national industries is even greater-reached 70% in June. In 2009, the Brazilian participation was 55%, compared to 25% in 2002, according to IMS Health. Of the total of R $ 47 billion of revenue, in July last year and June this year, the prescription with generics was r $ 13 billion. The similar ' reached r $ 9 billion in the same period. The remaining $ 1.5 billion includes other types of drugs, such as herbal remedies, incremental and radical innovation.
From 2014, this trend is likely to accentuate more to the side of the nationals. The similar medicines and generics, threads, dominated by local companies, will be absolutely equal from the point of view of health, according to the national agency of sanitary surveillance (Anvisa). Most multinationals, which also operate in these areas, has a larger participation in medicines (patent).
In September 2003, the Anvisa started a timeline similar to also be submitted to bioequivalence. Almost 100% of these products were suitable for standard, i.e., subjected to the same tests of generics. The expectation is that this medication is also interchangeable, as is already the case for generics. "It's a legal question, which should be debated by the National Congress, since it is regulated by law," Anvisa.
But the discussion on interchangeability-which can ensure the similar the same right as the generic, i.e. may be prescribed as replacements to open reference to an even bigger question for Drugmakers: how much is a trademark?
By law, the generic can be interchangeable for a reference drug and their prices must be at least 35% cheaper, which does not occur with the similar.
Since September 2003, when the Anvisa went on to require bioequivalence tests, the industries spent about $ 750 million to adapt its products to Anvisa's resolution, according to Henry Tada, Chief Executive of the National Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (Alanac).
Many branded products, which had no strong commercial appeal, are no longer produced, since the price paid by bioequivalence tests not made up for keep the product on the market, according to market sources. A test costs between $ 500,000 to $ 2 million, depending on the medication, according to informed sources the value. But on the other hand, many laboratories, regardless of whether it is national or foreign capital, have important similar to recognized brands on the market, representing revenue of these companies fleshy part.
In the case of similar country leader, Hypermarcas, which has products such as Resfenol and Neosoro, which generate a spontaneous demand on the counter from pharmacies. About 20% of the pharmaceutical Division's revenue is generated by similar products. Sales of generics are group with 8% of revenues.
Tada, Alanac, see naturally the question of interchangeability of medicinal products. "There are categories in which the similar are cheaper than generics. A lot depends on the product, the availability of copies and the marketing strategy of these companies, "he said. "Don't ' steal ' Generic network sales," he said. According to him, the greater participation of similar sales in independent pharmacies, while generics are sold in pharmacies.
For Telma Salles, Executive President of the Brazilian Association of generic drug Industries (Pro-generic), coexistence between the similar and generic from 2014 will not change. "Who has a brand will have to invest more in it."
Antonio Britto, Chief Executive of the Association of research-based pharmaceutical industry (Interfarma), says there is a larger question involving these comparisons, particularly the revenue participation. "Comparisons between similar and generic reference were hobbled because nearly all of the companies in the sector have decided to act in these three segments. The trend in the industry is that companies share in producing with a broader portfolio and those who engage in niche products, such as rare diseases, for example. "