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Analysis of regulated and practiced prices for the most consumed medicines in Brazil

Abstract

The economic regulation carried out by the Chamber of Regulation of the Pharmaceutical Market (CMED), which began in 2003, aims to promote pharmaceutical assistance through mechanisms that encourage the supply of medicines and competitiveness in the sector. Since 2007, Brazilian studies have shown that the current economic regulation model has been unable to control the variation of prices of medicines sold in Brazil. This study observes a significant divergence between the prices practiced at points of sale and the maximum selling price to consumers, as well as an ineffective market monitoring in identifying price records that do not comply with current rules. Therefore, there is a need to make economic regulation more effective and responsive to the market and consumer reality to help ensure that the Brazilian population has access to essential medicines at fair prices.

Keywords
Regulation; Health expenditure; Health care; Drug pricing

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