Brazil proposes two-stage process for SUS technology incorporation

Bill 1738/26, currently under review in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, proposes significant changes to how the Unified Health System (SUS) incorporates new medicines, products, and medical procedures.

Currently, the National Commission for Technology Incorporation in SUS (Conitec) conducts scientific and economic analyses simultaneously. The proposed legislation would split this into two distinct phases: first, a scientific and clinical evaluation focusing on efficacy, effectiveness, and safety; and second, a comparative economic assessment between the innovation and existing public health options.

The bill also introduces a formal financial negotiation stage between the Ministry of Health and manufacturers to adjust prices and improve cost-benefit ratios. Additionally, it allows for preliminary presentation meetings involving specialists, medical societies, and civil society to address potential obstacles before a formal request is submitted.

Authored by Deputies Silvia Cristina and Geraldo Resende, the project aims to increase transparency and rationality in public spending. If approved, the law would take effect 180 days after its publication.