Ministry of Health monitors lack of 86 medicines in the country

The Ministry of Health said this Friday (22) that 86 medicines and other substances are in short supply in the country or have low stocks. The ministry took stock of the actions being taken by the federal government, but did not present any new measures.

In recent months, Brazil has faced the shortage of a series of medicines and supplies, such as antibiotics, antiallergic, antipyretic, saline solution and contrast – used for carrying out tests.

Of the 86 substances, six had the price released for sale above the ceiling and, for another 11, there was a request for the import tax rate to be zeroed. The analysis is up to Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency).

This Friday, the federal government attributed the shortage to different factors: the lockdown in China and India (adopted in both countries to try to contain the coronavirus pandemic), the war in Ukraine, the increase in production costs and the shortage of material. -cousin.

One of the missing products is iodinated contrast, essential for performing exams. In recent days, the ministry recommended the “rationalization of use” and the Government of São Paulo sent a letter to the ministry asking for immediate measures to regularize the supply.

The Ministry of Health said on Friday that the forecast is for the product’s inventories to be regularized in September and that the problem was caused by the lockdown in China, where the world’s main manufacturer is located.

The first alert on drug shortages was made by state and municipal health secretaries in March, pointing to low stocks of injectable dipyrone and oxytocin. Since then, the list of out-of-stock items has been growing — not just in pharmacies, but also in hospitals.

The ministry stated that it has met with representatives of Anvisa and CMED (Medicine Market Regulation Chamber), and that it prepares a report to send to CADE (Administrative Council for Economic Defense).

The folder also wanted to reinforce that it buys only part of the medicines that are used in the SUS (Unified Health System) —since the responsibility is shared with states and municipalities— and that it has not had problems with its own stock.