The study “Strategic value of the generic and biosimilar medicines industry in Portugal”, aimed to map the impact of this industry on health, economy and social cohesion.

Promoted by the Portuguese Association of Generic and Biosimilar Medicines (APOGEN), which marks its 20th anniversary, the study, prepared by the consultant Deloitte, states that, in the health area, “generic and biosimilar medicines increase access and contribute to the reduction of expenses, freeing up resources that can be reallocated to finance therapeutic innovation, as well as hiring more professionals, generating gains in health that translate into increased longevity and quality of life”.

"Currently, adherence to generic and biosimilar medicines, although slow, has been growing, with a tendency towards a greater presence in the hospital market”, says the study, adding that, in 2022, generics obtained a market share in volume of 49%, 25% of market value, with market sales reaching 811 million euros.

Last year, on average, the price of a generic pack, in the outpatient market, was 58% lower than the average price of an original medicine, “despite the significant increase in inflation, raw material costs and context costs that were totally absorbed by the sector”.