Brazil defends 20‑year drug patent limit in health committee hearing

During a public hearing of the Consumer Defense Commission of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, industry representatives and health officials argued for keeping the patent term for medicines at 20 years from the filing date. They said the limit is essential for the sustainability of the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) and for allowing generic and biosimilar drugs to enter the market at lower prices.

Tiago de Moraes Vicente, president of Pró‑Genéricos, summed the position with the slogan “20 years and not a day more.” Andrey Freitas of Abifina noted that 91 % of oncology drugs recover R&D costs within eight years, calling the current term “more than sufficient.” Constance Chabin of the Ministry of Health warned that judicial extensions could cost the SUS between R$ 7.1 billion and R$ 16.2 billion, largely due to five high‑price medicines. The debate comes as 41 extension requests were logged in the first half of 2026 and a bill (PL 2583/20) to secure national health autonomy has already passed both chambers.