One of the first Brazilian medicines is Tríaga Brasilica and had its origins in the colonial period. It is a recipe based on plants, animals and other substances, such as minerals and oils, classified as a “panacea” for its ability to treat various diseases. Undeniably, it is an adaptation of the European Triaga Magna, recorded by the Jesuits in the 18th century.
Scientific Advances in the 20th Century
In 1949, pharmacologist Sérgio Henrique Ferreira, from the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP-USP), made a significant discovery when studying the venom of the jararaca. In this way, he identified an inhibitor of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme, which would become the active ingredient in the drug Captopril, whose patent is held by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Development of Brazilian Medicines for Neglected Diseases
However, although Brazil suffers from the prevalence of neglected diseases and low investment in drug development, there have been notable advances. One example is ASMQ, an antimalarial drug developed by the Instituto Farmanguinhos da Fiocruz, in partnership with the DNDi organization and produced by Cipla. Although registered in Brazil in 2008, ASMQ is recognized worldwide and certified by several regulatory entities, including the WHO, US FDA and UK MHRA.
Recent Innovations and Collaborations
Another highlight is Vonau flash, developed by professor and pharmacist Humberto Gomes Ferraz, with support from Farmacêutica Biolab, which holds part of the patent and exclusive marketing rights. In short, this medication was an innovation for ondansetron, making it more accessible and, until 2019, Vonau flash was responsible for 90% of the royalties received by USP.
The trajectory of drug development in Brazil reveals a constant need for investment from private companies, often foreign, to pay for the creation and manufacturing process. In summary, the absence of a completely developed medicine in the country stands out, from discovery to production and commercialization.
Challenges in Financing and Production, in addition to the need for investment
In an interview with the Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science (SBPC) in 2019, Dr. Gláucius Oliva, professor at USP and former president of CNPq, stated that Brazil has evolved in the pharmaceutical market, but still depends on imported assets and inputs. He highlighted the need for financial support, exemplifying that a single company can invest up to 20 billion in R&D, while Brazil invested only 330 million in financing CNPq scholarships in 2019, with the total budget of the Ministry of Science and Technology being R $2.9 billion.
Therefore, it is clear that Brazil has great potential in science and drug development, but faces significant challenges due to low investment. First of all, to boost the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry, it is essential to increase investments in research and promote partnerships between public institutions and private companies.
For more information, see:
- Dos Santos, F. S. Indígenas, Jesuítas e a Farmacopéia Verde das Terras Brasileiras: Os Segredos da Triaga Brasílica. Prometeica, 2013.
- Melo, G. B. T., et al. Evolution of research funding for neglected tropical diseases in Brazil, 2004–2020. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis., 2023.
- Santos, F. S. D. dos. Tradições populares de uso de plantas medicinais na Amazônia. História, Ciências, Saúde-Manguinhos, 2000.
- Martins-Melo, F. R., et al. The burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Brazil, 1990-2016: A subnational analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis., 2018.
- Estanislau, J., Sousa, G. C., & Momento Tecnologia #24: Medicamentos desenvolvidos na USP são comercializados mundialmente. Jornal da USP, 2020.
- Arrudas, M. Sabia que um remédio para enjoo traz 90% dos royalties que a USP recebe? Acontece na USP, 2019.
