Anvisa launches panel that details prices of medicines sold in the country

The price of medicines directly affects family budgets. A recent adjustment increased the value of medicines sold in pharmacies and drugstores in the country by 4.5%, according to Sindusfarma (the union that represents the sector).

To help consumers do the math before buying a medicine, Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) launched a panel where it is possible to check the prices of medicines throughout Brazil.

The objective of the tool, according to the agency, is to show consumers the maximum prices of products authorized by the Executive Secretariat of the Medicines Market Regulation Chamber (SCMED).

Pharmacies and drugstores, as well as laboratories, distributors and importers, cannot charge for medicines above the price allowed by SCMED. Currently, the list of maximum prices allowed for the sale of medicines is made available on the Anvisa portal for consumer consultation and is updated monthly.

With the new panel, in addition to the list published on the Agency’s portal, consumers will be able to consult the prices of medicines in an easier way, through direct consultation of the desired product, by the name of the medicine, active ingredient or registration number.

Complaint

Consumers who notice a higher price for a medicine than permitted may file a complaint with the CMED (Chamber of Medicines Market Regulation). The measure helps monitor the market by inhibiting overpricing practices by establishments.

It is worth remembering that medicine prices are currently the only ones controlled by the government, which requires compliance with the ceiling prices defined by CMED and registered in the Medicines Market Monitoring System (Sammed).

Anvisa emphasizes that the panel aims to help consult drug prices, but does not replace the official drug price lists published monthly.

Understand

The Maximum Consumer Price (PMC) is the ceiling price authorized on the shelves of pharmacies and drugstores. The Maximum Sales Price to the Government (PMVG) is the ceiling price for sales of medicines included in the list attached to Resolution CTE-CMED 6, of May 27, 2021, or to comply with a court decision.

According to the agency, it corresponds to the result of applying a mandatory minimum discount in relation to the Factory Price (PF), which is the price ceiling at which a laboratory or distributor can sell a medicine on the Brazilian market.

The panel is in the testing phase. Questions and suggestions for improving the tool can be sent through the communication channels provided by Anvisa at this link.