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Medicine prices throughout Brazil may be adjusted by up to 4.5% from this Monday (1st). The annual increase, which works as a ceiling (maximum value), was defined by the Medicines Market Regulation Chamber (CMED), which analyzed factors such as inflation and the productivity of the medicine industries.
“Brazil adopts a price regulation policy focused on protecting citizens, always establishing a ceiling to protect people and avoid abusive price increases”, explained the Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Ministry of Health, Carlos Gadelha. According to him, the adjustment defined is the smallest since 2020.
Despite being done annually, the adjustment is not automatic or immediate. This is because pharmacies can choose between applying the increase all at once or gradually throughout the year. The change, however, must be made by March 2025, when CMED must publish a new definition of the ceiling for the readjustment of values.
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In addition to the annual adjustment, medicines have already had their prices adjusted in part of the country due to the increase in the Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS). As a result, in some states, such as Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rondônia and Tocantins, the adjustment is double, as it also takes into account the impact of the new tax rates.
Source: SBT News
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