Interchangeable medicines: impact of expenses from the perspective of customers of a startup from Minas Gerais

Resumo

Objectives: The objective of this study was to conduct a cost-minimization evaluation of the potential interchangeability between prescribed medications from the patient’s pers-pective, using information from Far.me, a startup that offers individualized medication organization and delivery services. Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted with data from 15 clients of the company who had canceled their medication delivery subscription due to cost. Data from medical prescriptions were collected, and the medi-cations that could be interchangeable were identified. The prices used were those prac-ticed by the startup in August 2023. Results: The data analysis showed that the mon-thly costs of prescribed treatments ranged from R$131.00 to R$1,219.66, while the costs of potentially interchangeable medications ranged from R$98.00 to R$903.78. A potential savings of 9.60% to 55.00% of the monthly cost per patient was observed. Conclusions: Interchangeability between medications can generate significant savings for patients, varying according to the active ingredients and brands. This practice can reduce medication expenses when interchangeable options are available. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of initiatives such as the creation of startups that offer phar-maceutical services focused on the safety, efficacy, and economy of patient treatments, considering the financial demands and vulnerabilities of patients.