General Info

[QUOTE=Hitmanm3]I did not say I have been to Brazil I said I live in The Ironbound section in Newark NJ, which is where a large percentage of Brazilians live in the USA, and I asked a few Brazilians about the star tattoo and the response was what I fore mention. As for other type of designs I do not know, but as for the star, that was what I was told. Read before responding, I understand that the English language is a little tricky.[/QUOTE]

Data from the US Census American Community Survey of 2007 indicate that 10.9% of the Brasilian population of the US resides in the state of New Jersey. A complete state distribution can be found at this site: [url]http://manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/visualizations/brazilian-population-in-the-us-by-st[/url]

Sorry, no stats on tats. :D

[QUOTE=Exec Talent]Hitmanm3,

May I suggest that you quit while you are behind. You said that 40% of Brazilians in the US live in Ironbound. I asked you by PM for the source of your information. You did not reply.

The other day, Sperto asserted that 30% of the population in Copacabana was old. I asked him for support and he sent me two links.

My purpose is not to challenge either of you but to know the truth for possible future business decisions. Sperto was able to backup his statement, you were not. Further, Sperto consistently has provided members of this forum with accurate information from firsthand expereinces in Brazil. Can the same be said of you?

In the case of the star tattoo, I think he just doesn't want someone to spy one and go up to a girl and ask her how much for the hour. In other words, he was just trying to help. He IS an expert on Brazil, he doesn't have to prove it on this forum.[/QUOTE]
Out in the Ironbound section the Brazilian community have two local newspapers one is Brazilero and the other one escapes me. They quoted the number, as far as them all being in ironbound I think is a miss quote. Newark, Kerney, Harrison and Elizabeth are four cities in NJ that are populated by a big number of Brazilians, even the streets are in English and Portuguese. If you are in NJ in Sept. You should come to the Brazilian festival. Awesome for those who never been to Brazil. And Sperto and Exect Talent I mean no harm. I love this site. And thanks for the Information.

[QUOTE=Poucolouco]Data from the US Census American Community Survey of 2007 indicate that 10.9% of the Brasilian population of the US resides in the state of New Jersey. A complete state distribution can be found at this site: [url]http://manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/visualizations/brazilian-population-in-the-us-by-st[/url]

Sorry, no stats on tats. :D[/QUOTE]No surprise that alot of gpd visits north NJ and posts on local boards.

A question to people on the ground now in Rio. What is the price that should
be paid for a pack of four original cialis?

I was asked to pay 120 reals for 4, which he had to go out the back and find. When I declined he showed me another pack which he said is made in brazil and is 60 reals?

I want the original but don't know what i should be paying.

Thanks

[QUOTE=Koolkid]A question to people on the ground now in Rio. What is the price that should
be paid for a pack of four original cialis?

I was asked to pay 120 reals for 4, which he had to go out the back and find. When I declined he showed me another pack which he said is made in brazil and is 60 reals?

I want the original but don't know what i should be paying.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

sounds right

[QUOTE=Koolkid]A question to people on the ground now in Rio. What is the price that should
be paid for a pack of four original cialis?

I was asked to pay 120 reals for 4, which he had to go out the back and find. When I declined he showed me another pack which he said is made in brazil and is 60 reals?

I want the original but don't know what i should be paying.

Thanks[/QUOTE]Pretty much the right price.

Go for it if you want it.

[QUOTE=Bionicman]pretty mcuh the right price..go for it if you want it.[/QUOTE]Viagra is $200r at miguel lemos 100mg x 4. A little cheaper at other places.

[QUOTE=Koolkid]
I was asked to pay 120 reals for 4[/QUOTE]

Make sure you are getting 20mg tablets for that. There's not a lot of margin. Sometimes chemists will do an offer on stock they want to shift, but the reduction is only a few bucks. The 20mg are better value than the 10s. I've not heard of generic cialis - you're probably best to go for the originals. Most chemists will show you the computer screen for any drug that shows both the recommended retail price and the discounted one. 120R for 4x20mg is ok. Commoner drugs - some of which you would need a prescription for back home - are worth shopping around for, especially ones that have been out for a while and for which there are several established generic versions.

[QUOTE=Christopherd]Make sure you are getting 20mg tablets for that. There's not a lot of margin. Sometimes chemists will do an offer on stock they want to shift, but the reduction is only a few bucks. The 20mg are better value than the 10s. I've not heard of generic cialis - you're probably best to go for the originals. Most chemists will show you the computer screen for any drug that shows both the recommended retail price and the discounted one. 120R for 4x20mg is ok. Commoner drugs - some of which you would need a prescription for back home - are worth shopping around for, especially ones that have been out for a while and for which there are several established generic versions.[/QUOTE]

The generic name is written on the box, (Tadalafil.)

[QUOTE=Poucolouco]The generic name is written on the box, (Tadalafil.)[/QUOTE]Yes, it has to be, by law.But I was just trying to be helpful on the subject of generics (ie drugs that are marketed under the generic name and with no brand name).

They usually come out a good number of years after the original brand to avoid lawsuits. Gringos tend to ask for brand names (or get offered them) and so pay much more than they need for things like loperamide, ranitidine, ibroprofen and so on. There is no difference between the generic and the branded drug (except maybe a sugar-coating).

But with generic versions of very expensive drugs like Tadalafil you have to be careful as there is a heavy black market in fake drugs, or drugs sold as the generic that only have a percentage of the actual drug in them.

Most chemists in RJ are honest (-ish) IMO, apart from trying to get you to buy the most expensive thing. But occasionally they will say 'this is just the same' and there is f.a. way of telling if it is or not. For instance, if something said tadalafil on the side, would you read through all the small print to check for clauses like, "occasionally there will not be enough of the actual drug available, in which case a similar substitute will be made." Which is one I've seen. Expensive fakes, of course, have the 'brand' logo on the box, the same as Nike t-shirts, though in some cases the chemist will not be aware of it.

I only buy tadalafil occasionally in Brasil. Over and above any logic or proof on the matter, I've generally found it ok. My biggest concern in buying drugs is that they have not been kept within the maximum temperature range. I maybe worry unduly, but not all drugs are kept in good aircon storage. It might not affect them (a 'maximum storage temperature' is the same as a 'expiry date' - it means they've spent a fortune testing it to that limit and normally haven't spent money testing it beyond that. But if there's two chemists selling it at the same price and one looks cool and legit and one looks like a sweat box, why take a chance.)

If in doubt, when you're buying a lot of an expensive anything, split the purchase between more than one drogaria.

Ok so I've come to the board to quell an argument with the fellows and myself. Would one agree that working women (terma, help, etc) most do what they do out of necessity while others to obtain wants. Thus attempting to diffrentiate their work life from there personal. So one can imply their mentality is I'm not cheating because this is what I do for a living, yet if I use my leisure time to chill with you it is because I have some form of attraction.

I believe its all what I call the Matrix all a game. While several dispute with statements that no she likes me because she spent time with me and didn't charge.

Whats your take.

[QUOTE=JohnnyBraz]Viagra is $200r at miguel lemos 100mg x 4. A little cheaper at other places.[/QUOTE]Hi Guys,

As mentioned about this before, a lot of farmacies have special offer. Ask if there is, sometimes you can actually save up to 50. 75 are$. I found that with viagra, I'm sure this goes for all medicaments.

Good Luck. And enjoy.

Chico

[QUOTE=Christopherd]Yes, it has to be, by law.But I was just trying to be helpful on the subject of generics (ie drugs that are marketed under the generic name and with no brand name).
They usually come out a good number of years after the original brand to avoid lawsuits. Gringos tend to ask for brand names (or get offered them) and so pay much more than they need for things like loperamide, ranitidine, ibroprofen and so on. There is no difference between the generic and the branded drug (except maybe a sugar-coating).
But with generic versions of very expensive drugs like Tadalafil you have to be careful as there is a heavy black market in fake drugs, or drugs sold as the generic that only have a percentage of the actual drug in them.
Most chemists in RJ are honest (-ish) IMO, apart from trying to get you to buy the most expensive thing. But occasionally they will say 'this is just the same' and there is f.a. way of telling if it is or not. For instance, if something said tadalafil on the side, would you read through all the small print to check for clauses like, "occasionally there will not be enough of the actual drug available, in which case a similar substitute will be made." Which is one I've seen. Expensive fakes, of course, have the 'brand' logo on the box, the same as Nike t-shirts, though in some cases the chemist will not be aware of it.[/QUOTE]
Be careful when shopping for generics over brand names. Always get the price and quantity of both. This article mentions how in many cases the generics costs more than the brand name. Sometimes over three times as much. But if it's sold legally then it is supposed to go through the same testing and have the same effects as the original brand names so like Christopherd said it is all the same except for maybe the non-medicinal part.

[url]http://www.sinfarmig.org.br/noticias.php?id=547[/url]

06/02/2009 - JORNAL NACIONAL RETRATA MATÉRIA SOBRE GENÉRICOS

Na última segunda-feira, dia 2 de fevereiro, o Sinfarmig ficou espantado ao ver uma matéria publicada no Jornal Nacional que comparava preços de medicamentos genéricos com similares e não com medicamentos de referência e que se transformou em um grande equívoco. Ao constatar que a reportagem ignorou a real legislação do medicamento genérico no Brasil, este Sindicato imediatamente entrou em contato com a produção do JN, explicando a grande confusão divulgada nacionalmente.

Nesta quinta-feira, dia 5 de feveriro, o JN fez a retratação da matéria. Confira abaixo a íntegra das reportagens:

Fonte: Jornal Nacional 02 fevereiro - Preço de genéricos supera o de remédios de marca

As leis de mercado estão produzindo um fenômeno estranho nas prateleiras das farmácias. Veja na reportagem de Giuliano Tamura. Os genéricos devem conter o mesmo princípio ativo dos remédios de referência. Por isso, antes de ir para as farmácias, são submetidos a testes da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. "Eles chegam ao mercado exatamente iguais ao de marca, fazendo o mesmo efeito", farmacêutica Luciana Viana.

Hoje, de cada cinco remédios comercializados no país, um é genérico, e a proposta de oferecer medicamentos mais baratos à população produziu uma situação curiosa. Os medicamentos genéricos ganharam a preferência do consumidor brasileiro, mas nem sempre eles são os mais baratos encontrados nas farmácias. Em alguns casos, a diferença de preços entre genéricos e medicamentos de referência passa de 180%.

É o caso do Fluconazol, para micose. O remédio de marca custa R$ 7,58, enquanto o genérico está saindo quase pelo triplo do preço. A Azitromicina é outro exemplo. Três comprimidos genéricos do antibiótico custam R$ 24,58 e o medicamento de marca é vendido por menos de R$ 10.

A diferença entre os medicamentos para controle de colesterol também é grande. A caixa com 30 comprimidos de Sinvastatina de 20 miligramas custa R$ 52,53. O mesmo remédio de referência custa menos da metade, diferença de 156%.

”Está o contrário? Então é preciso tomar cuidado", diz uma consumidora. "É estranho mesmo, você não acha?", pergunta uma mulher. "É um absurdo, porque se o genérico já é para facilitar para as pessoas que não tem condição", reclama uma terceira.

Para os donos de farmácia, tanta diferença tem explicação. "É o cliente que passou a usar mais o genérico, e o de marca, para continuar sendo vendido, teve que se adequar ao preço igual ou até mais barato", declarou o dono de farmácia Álvaro Lima.

O presidente da Associação das Indústrias de Medicamentos Genéricos, Odnir Finotti, concorda. "A tendência é baixar sempre o preço, sempre que tem concorrência, e quanto maior é o número de genéricos para a mesma substância, mais os preços tendem a cair”.

Nessa guerra de preços, pesquisar nunca é demais.

Fonte: Jornal Nacional - 06 de Fevereiro - Genérico tem que ser pelo menos 35% mais barato

Essa é a condição para esse tipo de medicamento entrar no mercado. Saiba a diferença entre medicamentos de marca, similares e genéricos.

O Jornal Nacional apresentou, na última segunda-feira, uma reportagem sobre os preços dos remédios, mostrando que os medicamentos de referência estavam mais baratos do que os genéricos, mas a reportagem estava errada e dezenas de telespectadores nos mandaram mensagens alertando para isso.

Numa situação como essa, o JN se obriga a três coisas: a primeira é pedir desculpas, a segunda é agradecer aos que nos mandaram o alerta e a terceira é colocar os pingos nos "is". Quem dá a explicação bem clara sobre os tipos de remédios encontrados nas farmácias é a repórter Zileide Silva. A técnica em enfermagem Elaine Silva troca, sim, um medicamento de referência, de marca, por um genérico. “Normalmente, quando eu vou ao médico, costumo perguntar se pode substituir e eles falam que sim”.

Já são dez anos com genéricos, os únicos remédios que podem substituir os medicamentos de marca receitados por um médico. Já são genéricos 18% dos remédios comercializados no país. Mesmo assim, ainda há quem não confie muito. “Tem alguns que eu experimentei, a impressão pessoal minha é que não é a mesma coisa. Fica na dúvida, volto para o original”, opinou o aposentado Mário Oba.

Dúvida que, segundo o diretor da Anvisa, Dirceu Raposo de Mello, não deve existir. O genérico, ele garante, é tão eficaz e seguro quanto o de marca e, por isso, pode substítuí-lo. “Esses genéricos passam por testes e esses testes são monitorados e acompanhados pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária”. Os medicamentos de referência trazem a marca, o nome do produto, na embalagem. Os genéricos, uma tarja amarela com um "G" de genérico. E ainda tem os similares, que lembram muito os de referência. Também são conhecidos pela marca e têm o mesmo princípio ativo, a mesma substância usada no medicamento de referência. Também já começaram a ser testados, mas, por lei, não podem substituir o de marca.

Na farmácia, o farmacêutico é obrigado a saber e a explicar se um medicamento é de marca, similar ou genérico e ainda tem outra diferença. Para entrar no mercado, para chegar na prateleira, o genérico tem que ser mais barato. No mínimo, 35%. É claro que depois tem a concorrência e, para vender mais, qualquer laboratório, de genérico ou de marca, pode reduzir seus preços. E muitos fazem isso, o consumidor percebe. “Hoje em dia, tem genérico bem mais caro”, diz uma mulher. Mas para a grande maioria, a principal vantagem do genérico ainda é mesmo o preço. “É bem mais barato”, diz um homem. “Sempre que eu busco é mais barato”, diz uma mulher.

E, segundo a Associação Brasileira de Genéricos, esta é mesmo uma tendência. “A concorrência dos genéricos os dez anos tem feito que todos os medicamentos no Brasil, de alguma forma, tenham preço reduzido. E tudo isso é positivo, porque quem ganha são as pessoas que precisam de medicamento”, disse Odinir Sinotti, vice-presidente da Pró-Genéricos. O contínuo Valdemar Pereira da Silva, que só compra genéricos, concorda. “O medicamento me dá resultado, satisfaz a dor que eu estou sentido, resolve qualquer problema, obtenho resultado”.

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational]Be careful when shopping for generics over brand names.

Na última segunda-feira, dia 2 de fevereiro, o Sinfarmig ficou espantado ao ver uma matéria publicada no Jornal Nacional que comparava preços de medicamentos genéricos com similares e não com medicamentos de referência e que se transformou em um grande equívoco. Ao constatar que a reportagem ignorou a real legislação do medicamento genérico no Brasil, este Sindicato imediatamente entrou em contato com a produção do JN, explicando a grande confusão divulgada nacionalmente.
[/quote]

Which roughly translated I guess means, "Sinfarmig was astonished to see a misleading national newspaper report that compared prices of generic medicines and misconceptions over similar branded ones. The law on generic medicines was ignored and this Union immediately contacted blah-de-and-so on."

This is a newspaper story and interesting but of limited practical value. What is useful is knowing whether it applies to what you're buying. If you get the prices at one chemist of several things with same composition then do the same at another, it will be very much less likely that you are being ripped off, and you have the proof in front of you. I compared ranitide (a common drug that stops stomach acid) at various chemists in Copa and Centro. The prices varied, but the big price difference was a shop on R.Carioca that was getting rid of certain stock at one third of the price of anywhere else. I bought a small amount then bought a lot next time I was passing. Incidentally, the smaller packets, on this occasion, also worked out at a quite a bit less than half the price of the bigger packet with twice as many tablets. There's not many rules but it's not rocket science either. Just see what's available and make sensible purchases.

The same chemist had Cialis at 104R against the usual 119R, but this was hardly worth the bother.

Common drugs [i]that gringos will use[/i] include loperamide (for diarrhea) and anti-histamines (best to get the non-drowsy ones) to stop itching from mozzie bites. You can usually get savings of up to half the price by shopping round on different packagings (and not all generics are the same price). The most expensive option is the brand name you recognise from home, duly imported rather than made in Brasil. But as Ent points out, even that's not a rule.

I've read through a ton of the postings and still haven't been able to find some good suggestions for what I am specifically looking for. I'm going to Brazil in August for a little more than 3 weeks. I'm flying into Rio and am planning on some fun and sun there for a few days. However, I want to move on. I'm into surfing and am looking for a place to go that has the following:

1. Good beaches and surfing;

2. Good nightlife (for partying, dancing, drinking, and most importantly finding both pros and non-pros);

3. NOT an overly resort type town. Something more laid back and organic rather than super developed with high rise hotels;

4. A place that is relatively easy to get to from Rio (I'm willing to fly).

Suggestions?