News and Business
Brazilian government introduces new program to support health industry
A decree creating the National Development Strategy for the Health Economic-Industrial Complex was recently signed by President Lula da Silva and is set to be published soon
Subjects
On September 26, 2023, the Brazilian government inaugurated the National Development Strategy for the Health Economic-Industrial Complex (CEIS Development Strategy), a program that aims to expand Brazil’s capacity to produce essential items for its Unified Health System (SUS). President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the decree instituting the program during an event attended by Ana Cândida Sammarco, a partner of Mattos Filho’s Life Sciences & Healthcare practice.
The CEIS Development Strategy is the result of the efforts of the Health Economic-Industrial Complex Executive Group (Geceis). It is expected to receive a total of BRL 42 billion in investments between 2023 and 2026.
Key aspects
The core objectives of the CEIS Development Strategy are:
- To reduce vulnerabilities within the SUS and expand universal access to health by developing and adopting technology in health;
- To strengthen local production of goods and services;
- To coordinate public policy instruments, such as state purchasing power, financing, regulation, scientific and technological infrastructure;
- To create a favorable institutional environment for investment, innovation, capacity building, and job creation;
- To drive research, development, innovation, and the production of technologies and services;
- To promote digital and ecological transition within the Health Economic-Industrial Complex;
- To expand and modernize the infrastructure of the Health Economic-Industrial Complex;
- To support initiatives related to global health, especially in Latin America and Africa.
Additionally, the CEIS Development Strategy contains six structural programs:
- Productive Development Partnership Program: joint initiatives between the Brazilian government and the private sector – especially through Productive Development Partnerships (PDPs) – focused on reducing vulnerabilities and expanding SUS access.
- Program for Local Development and Innovation: focused on restarting investments in national technology and innovation initiatives (artificial intelligence, software, etc.), considering the SUS’ main challenges and its productive and technological vulnerabilities;
- Vaccines, Sera, and Blood Products Preparation Program: addresses national technology production, as well as expanding public access and supply guarantees regarding vaccines, sera, and blood products within the SUS. The Brazilian government intends to focus on foreign technology transfer and local innovation initiatives.
- Program for Neglected Populations and Diseases: aims to boost public production of technology for preventing, diagnosing and treating neglected diseases (such as tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, and dengue fever);
- Program for Modernization and Innovation in Care: directed at modernizing and boosting innovation in regard to philanthropic organizations’ provision of highly complex health services. These organizations are responsible for 60% of all highly complex care in Brazil’s public health network.
- Program for Expanding and Modernizing CEIS Infrastructure: involves the coordination of public and private investments to expand production within the Health Economic-Industrial Complex, a necessary step in implementing the other programs listed above.
At the launch event for the CEIS Development Strategy on September 26, 2023, Brazilian Health Minister Nísia Trindade clarified that the Brazilian state will be involved in implementing the structural programs. It will focus on addressing national challenges involving technology and innovation; cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), and Butantan Institute; and sanitary regulations directed at stimulating the development of biosimilars, vaccines for new pandemics, and new forms of therapy.
Also present at the launch was Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. As well as signing the decree to formally establish the CEIS Development Strategy, he signed a second decree to form the CEIS Deliberative Committee and Technical Evaluation Commission. Both decrees are expected to provide further details on the subject.
For further information, please contact Mattos Filho’s Life Sciences & Healthcare practice area.
*With the contribution of Thais Cristina de Jesus.
