Avaliação do entendimento, aceitação e uso dos medicamentos genéricos por estudantes dos cursos do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)

Abstract

The generic drug has the same active substance at the same dose and dosage form, it is administered by the same route and with the same therapeutic indication of the brand namedrug, with the same security levels and can, thereby, be interchangeable. It was introduced in Brazil through Law 9,787/99. With prices at least 35% lower than the brand names, it collaborates in order to several Brazilians to have access to the drug with lower costs, and quality and sure of the therapeutic effect. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the perception of consumers about these parameters. This research aims to assess the knowledge, acceptance and use of generics by students of Health Sciences Center of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) and to analyze which factors can influence it. It is a cross-sectional study that has as scope the knowledge, acceptance and use of generic drugs in the period from August to December 2014. The study population consists of students from the first semester of Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Physiotherapy of UFC. The instrument used was a form filled through interviews. Data were analyzed using the software Microsoft Excel ® 2007 being carried out calculations of frequencies. It was interviewed a total of 133 students with an average age of 20.2 years. 61.65% (n = 82) of this population had consumed medicines in the 15 days preceding the survey and 88.72% (n = 118) said that have acquired in the chemist. 87.97% (n = 117) knew what a generic is. The characteristics that best defined the generics were the price, 36.8% (n = 49), and the letter "G" on the box, 11.3% (n = 15). The mostcommon ways of obtaining knowledge about these drugs were advertisements, 39.85% (n = 53), and through health professionals, 15.03% (n = 20). The main factors for its identification were yellow stripe, 45.9% (n = 61), and the blue letter "G", 35.3% (n = 47). 81.2% (n = 108) of respondents used to buy generics and 90.98% (n = 121) trust their quality. 6.77% (n = 9) said their doctors always has prescribed generics, 73.68% (n = 98) said that it happens only a few times, 73.68% (n = 98) not requested the prescription or this kind of drugs and 63,91% (n = 85) were seeking the information if there is a generic drug for the one that the doctor had prescribed. The main reasons for buying generics were the price, 59.26% (n = 64), and the confidence associated with the price, 30.56% (n = 33). The price 31.46% (n = 28), followed by price and trust the quality of generic, 17.98% (n = 16), and confidence in the indication received by the pharmacist or clerk, 13.48% (n = 12), has led to accept the suggestion of drug switch. When confronted confidence in the quality of generics with the place where they look for medical care, family income or way to acquire medicines, it was observed that, regardlessof the variable used, the majority of respondents trust the quality of these medicines. The biggest share of students knows that generic drugs are safe and effective, in this way they are going to be professionals able to guide the public about these drugs, as well as being responsible for disseminating its benefits, thus ensuring a greater use, knowledge, and acceptance by the citizens.