The PL Establishes the National Strategy for the Health Economic-industrial Complex

Sanctioned this Monday (20), Bill No. 2583/20 aims to guarantee Brazil's autonomy in the production of medicines, vaccines, equipment and medical supplies, strengthening national sovereignty, including to deal with possible public health emergencies. The PL establishes the National Strategy for the Health Economic-Industrial Complex. The project was recently approved by the National Congress.

Among the justifications presented during the matter's processing in the Legislature is to help the country be able to carry out “health actions and services, encouraging the generation of qualified jobs and innovation, and reducing technological and productive dependence on abroad”. In addition to creating instruments to stimulate national health production, the new law establishes rules for public purchases, financing and regulation of strategic products for the Unified Health System (SUS). Through public purchases, it intends to encourage the local manufacturing of products considered strategic for the SUS.

To this end, it creates the figure of Strategic Health Companies (EES), which may receive priority in regulatory processes, facilitated access to BNDES credit lines and other incentives. To fit into this classification, companies will need to meet requirements related to production, research and innovation in the country. President of Farmabrasil, an association that brings together the main companies in the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry, Reginaldo Arcuri said that the new legislation will be essential for the country and that his sector will be committed to developing increasingly innovative medicines.

Guidelines In the opinion of the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, the new rules will favor Brazilian sovereignty. According to him, during debates in the Legislature the project appeared to be “inspired by other projects that aimed to protect strategic sectors, such as Defense”. The national strategy will have the following guidelines: Strengthening the SUS; ensuring access to health technologies; human resources training; preventing and combating epidemics; encouraging the national production of medicines and medical devices; international insertion of strategic Brazilian companies; use of the State's purchasing power to stimulate local production.

The objectives include: reducing production and technological dependencies on the SUS; expand universal access to health; boost research and innovation; modernize the health industrial park; achieve self-sufficiency in the production chain; stimulate investments; and prepare the system for public health emergencies. Companies that wish to qualify as a Strategic Health Company (EES) must meet minimum conditions, such as: having as their social purpose productive activities, research, scientific and technological development, in addition to the development of an industrial park focused on strategic health planning; have, in the country, an industrial installation for the manufacture of a “strategic health product” (PES); present a history of productive activity and innovation; and have the capacity to ensure continuity and productive expansion in Brazil. Vetos According to the minister of health, Alexandre Padilha, only three vetoes were made to the project.

None of great relevance. One of them has the purpose of adapting the final text to the taxation rules that already exist within the scope of Mercosur. Another veto, which Padilha said he “regrets having to do”, provides for some technological compensations that would be the responsibility of companies for importing products.