Nine out of ten Peruvian households consume analgesics or anti-inflammatories.

Medical staff has repeatedly advised against self-medication; however, the consumption of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs is such a constant practice that throughout the country 97% of households purchase these OTC medicines from pharmacies and pharmacies.

This was revealed in a study by consulting firm Kantar Worldpanel Division and, according to its director of business development, Mauricio Cheng, stressed to management that despite high consumptionfamilies have “excellent knowledge about these products”.

Although it is known that all medicines, whether generic or branded, are equally effective because they contain the same active ingredient, 12% of consumers prefer to buy those that are produced in laboratories; i.e. branded and 85% do not give preference to any of them and choose any.

The consultant specified that 21% families the upper strata of the population consume branded drugs as well as generics: 39% do so in segment C, 31% in segment D, and 9% in segment E.

What factors do families look for when choosing generic or brand name drugs?

Mauricio Cheng explained that 64% of families choose generics because of the price, but 32% say they choose this type of medicine because they are easier to find at the point of sale. As for branded products, 30% of those surveyed say they are more effective.

What is the consumption in the regions?

A survey conducted among 1,081 households across the country showed that in Lime and generics in the interior of the country.

Cheng believed there was a potential market for these consumables, but branded drugs needed to step up their presence in the sales channels and offer competitive prices to be as affordable as generics.