Promoting public health through intersectoral actions for improving essential medicines access

INTRODUCTION:Evolution of the National Essential Drugs List (RENAME) since 1975 and available medicines by pharmaceutical companies public and private. Government actions during the period are being evaluated in order to identify life quality of the Brazilian population through access to essential medicines. Nevertheless, improve the scope of care for neglected diseases.OBJECTIVE:Actions improving public health in Brazil through promotion of access to essential medicines.METHODOLOGY:Consult database provided by Government Agencies and interviews and visits in Researchers Institutions.MAIN RESULTS:Quantities of drugs reported in RENAME (33 years) increased over 1000%. Accompanied demand by national and transnational laboratories portfolio. In 10 years in the generics medicines were invested around US$ 170 million improving access to the population,. This are 35% cheaper than the references medicines. The national active pharmaceutical ingredients market is being restructured and guaranteed acquire through of the purchasing power of the Government.CONCLUSIONS:Brazil has a Health National System structured that improve access to medicines. There are 2 markets pharmaceuticals (public/private) no competitive between them. They attend to all social classes. Last 4 years improved R&D for neglected diseases.