Mercado de medicamentos no Brasil: uma análise da descontinuação da produção no período de 2018 a 2022.

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry in Brazil is known for its limited capacity for innovation, low capitalization, and a predominant focus on the production of generic drugs. Multinational companies, on the other hand, lead the market in pharmaceutical inputs, innovative drugs, and high-value-added products. This scenario creates a dependency on Brazil on the international market for health products, resulting in economic and social vulnerability. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this dependency became even more evident with the scarcity of essential inputs, increased prices, and difficulty accessing necessary treatments for the population. This study aims to assess the drug discontinuation profile in the Brazilian market from 2018 to 2022. In this context, a descriptive study was conducted about Brazil's drug discontinuation and prices registered in public purchases from 2018 to 2022. Data from the Panel of Notifications of Discontinuation and Reactivation of Manufacture and Importation of Medicines of the National Health Surveillance Agency were used. A total of 11,657 drug discontinuation notifications were identified between January 2018 and December 2022. Approximately 38% of the notifications were recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a large part being temporary (76.37%) and due to commercial reasons. Medications intended for the cardiovascular system were the most affected by the drug shortage, especially during the pandemic period, where the interruption of the manufacture and importation of this class accounted for about 22% of the total. Additionally, the analysis of prices recorded in public purchases showed significant price changes over the five years, with some presentations registering an accumulated positive variation above 100%. It was also observed that 2020, marked by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, presented the highest median price variation compared to the previous year. The research results highlight the need to reformulate the country's price regulation policy to improve medicines' pricing and annual adjustments. Equally important is implementing robust policies and investing to strengthen the national pharmaceutical industry. This measure is crucial in reducing external dependency and ensuring the continuity of essential medicines to all Brazilians.