Brazil health policy proposals emerge ahead of 2026 elections

As part of the lead-up to the 2026 elections in Brazil, major health institutions and political campaigns are outlining strategic priorities for the nation's healthcare system.

Fiocruz has issued an open letter advocating for health to be a central electoral issue. The institution emphasizes the need for national sovereignty in health production to reduce dependence on foreign vaccines, medicines, and technologies. Key proposals include strengthening public production, ensuring stable funding for science and innovation, and treating health as a strategic component of national economic development through the Health Economic-Industrial Complex.

Simultaneously, the presidential campaign of Renan Santos has presented proposals to the pharmaceutical industry focused on the regionalization of the Unified Health System (SUS). The plan suggests organizing the country into 172 health regions to improve resource allocation and move away from the current logic of parliamentary amendments. The campaign also aims to address regulatory delays at Anvisa, proposes creating special economic zones with tax incentives to attract industry, and suggests expanding productive development partnerships to facilitate technology transfer.