The drug market have the
price of their goods defined by the government since 2003. The executives have argued
about the impracticability of producing
high cost drugs keeping low prices.
The
pharmaceutical industry executives complaint about the price of medicines readjustment
in a public hearing, last Tuesday 7, at the Chamber’s Committee on Social
Security and Family. The price of the medicines are defined by the government since
2003 through the Drug Regulamentory Market Chamber (CEMED), the industry had R$
72 billions profit in 2016, according to ANVISA (Nationally Health Surveillance
Agency).
However,
the representative of the Industry Syndicate of Pharmaceutical Products in the
State of São Paulo (Sindusfarma), Bruno César Almeida Abreu is concerned about
losses if the price readjustment of medicines remain below inflation.
He
pointed out that, from 2007 to 2016, the readjustment ranged from 45% to 61%,
comparing to 86% inflation. If considered the salary increase of the pharmaceutical
working class, by 102% at the same period, the industry losses can be
considered higher, according to the unionist.
“The
readjustment comparing to inflation is unfair, if the salary adjustment were considered,
the losses would be greater”, he said.
The
Brazilian Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufactures Association (Interfarma) executive
officer, Pedro Bernardo, reinforced that the inequality might affect the investments
allocation, as well as the population access to medicines.
He
mentioned the example of penicillin, used on the treatment of syphilis, which
price was defined below the market condition, economically precluding the medicine
production.
The
congressman Mandetta (DEM/MS), who has requested the the hearing, was surprised
by the businessmen’s argument. “What magic is that? Either the price was too
high that even with the price readjustment of 61% against 82% inflation
increase kept profits, or there is something in these numbers I cannot understand”,
he said.
Anyway,
according to the CMED’s executive secretary, Leandro Sefatle, the price regulation
is effective, first and foremost over imported medicines to treat rare disease,
once they are generally patented.
According
to him, the Ministry of Health had a loss of R$ 500 million on the purchase of a
medicine, imposed through court, by international price. In his opinion, the trial
could be avoided if it were under CMED control.
“When
it comes to drug monopoly and the manufacturer works with prices too high, the negotiation
tend to put the country in most fragile situation”, he says.
Sefatle
highlighted that there are medicines that are sold at prices below the fixed-price
set by CMED, and “it is a positive signal” of competition at the market.
Tax
BurdenThe
pharmaceutical market’s businessmen also complaint about the increasing of
taxes for the sector which, according to them, is almost 20% of the medicine’s price. Among the exemples discussed,
it was talked about the drugs used on the treatment of Hepatitis C, those are imposed
12% PIS and COFINS and 18% ICMS (*).
Bruno
César Almeida Abreu was ironic with the situation. “There are more important manufactured
goods than those medicines, with lower tax burden, as animal remedy, with 13%
of taxes”.
The
ANVISA representative, Leandro Sefatle, on the order hand, told that 95% of
medicines are already exempt from federal taxes. “The Brazilian Government had already
exempt IPI for all medicines. When it comes to PIS/COFINS, there are still some
medicines to be exempt”, he said.
(*)
PIS/COFINS are social contribution (Social Integration Program/ Contribution
for the Financing of Social Security). ICMS means Tax on Consumption of Goods
and Services. (**) IPI – Tax on Manufactured Goods
Report - Emanuelle Brasil
Edition - Geórgia Moraes
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