Brazil's Top 10 Generic Drugs: A Public Health Snapshot

Brazil's Top-Selling Generic Drugs Reveal a Concerning Health Trend Brazil's healthcare landscape is revealed in a recent report on the top 10 best-selling generic medications. The data, obtained by G1 from the National Pharmaceutical Laboratories Association (ALANAC), paints a picture of widespread hypertension and concerning trends in self-medication. Four of the top ten medications are for hypertension: Losartan, Dipirona, Hydrochlorothiazide, and Nimesulide. The sheer volume of sales—167.5 million units of Losartan alone in the past 12 months—underscores the prevalence of this condition affecting approximately 30% of the Brazilian population, a figure that doubles among the elderly. Adding to concerns, Tadalafil, used for erectile dysfunction, ranks highly, indicating possible recreational use. "This shows that hypertension is very common in Brazil," stated the reporter. "Three out of ten people have the disease." While Dipirona, an analgesic and antipyretic, is considered safe, Nimesulide, an anti-inflammatory, is banned in many European countries and the US due to potential kidney issues. Doctors expressed worry over the recreational use of medications like Tadalafil, which can lead to cardiovascular risks and psychological dependence. The report concludes with a call for responsible medication use and highlights that all mentioned hypertension medications are available for free through the Farmácia Popular program.