THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERIC DRUGS IN ACCESS TO PUBLIC HEALTHCARE IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This article aimed to highlight the relevance of generic medicines to Brazilian public health, emphasizing their contribution to increasing population access to treatments and improving medication adherence. This process is strengthened by the role of the pharmacist in collaboration with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.Although generic medicines represent a significant advancement in therapeutic development and in expanding access to healthcare, an important challenge still persists: the prejudice of some healthcare professionals in prescribing and recognizing the effectiveness of these medicines, especially when treating patients with lower purchasing power. To support this discussion, a bibliographic review was conducted based on studies and scientific articles available in databases such as SciELO and BVS. The implementation of generic medicines in Brazil marked an important milestone for public health; however, beyond the availability of these drugs, it is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of their importance and promote this therapeutic alternative among the most vulnerable segments of the population (SOUZA et al., 2020).