Current Panorama of the Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry is crucial for the production and development of medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In Brazil, this sector is one of the most profitable, positioning the country as the sixth largest pharmaceutical market in the world, according to the IQVIA ranking. Furthermore, according to ANVISA’s pharmaceutical market statistical yearbook, medicine trade in Brazil generated revenue of R$131.2 billion in 2022.
History of the Brazilian Pharmaceutical Industry
Although successful today, the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry had modest beginnings. Until the 19th century, local production depended heavily on the import of drugs and pharmaceutical inputs, with the majority of medicines produced for foreign companies.
Growth in the 1950s
Significant growth began in the 1950s, driven by the installation of foreign companies and the creation of national companies, encouraged by the government. Thus, this growth was a response to the high demand for medicines resulting from population growth, which created a greater need for medical treatments.
Development and Innovation
Over time, the sector stopped being just a handler of inputs to adopt research and development (R&D) technologies and techniques. In the 1990s, important regulatory changes, such as the Industrial Property Law (nº 9,279 of 05/14/1996) and the National Medicines Policy (1998), in addition to the introduction of generic medicines, further boosted the evolution of the sector.
Current Success and Promising Future
Regulatory changes and incentives for technological development have allowed Brazil to stand out on the global stage. Thus, in 2022, of the 20 pharmaceutical companies leading in sales, 17 were Brazilian. Therefore, this scenario indicates that Brazil is following international trends and has the potential to compete in the global pharmaceutical market.
For more information, see:
- Ribeiro, W. Brasil é o 6° mercado farmacêutico do mundo. ICTQ Pós-Graduação.
- ANVISA. Anvisa divulga dados do anuário sobre a indústria farmacêutica no Brasil. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária.(2023)
- Fiocruz. Indústria Farmacêutica no Brasil: um breve panorama. Fiocruz.
- Luize, L. Brasil tem 31 farmacêuticas com faturamento bilionário. Panorama Farmacêutico (2023).
