Brazil's pharma sector expands with cannabis launch, biotech funding and digital pharmacy growth

cannabis medicinal product biotech investment digital pharmacy sales market growth Assaí Farma expansion

Brazilian pharmaceutical companies are broadening their offerings and investments. ALKO do Brasil plans to launch its first cannabis‑based medication between August and September, targeting 5,000 units in the first ten months and aiming to reach 500 pharmacy points in the initial quarter, later expanding to 1,500 locations. The company will price the product below the current market average and is negotiating partnerships with the country's five largest pharmacy chains.

Blau Farmacêutica has committed R$1.5 billion to industrial expansion, research and development, and strategic acquisitions since its IPO. The investment includes more than R$800 million for plant upgrades, R$600 million for drug development, and R$150 million for acquisitions. Its Cotia (SP) facility received certification to produce pembrolizumab, the firm’s first monoclonal antibody for oncology, and the company acquired the Bergamo laboratory to boost capacity.

Market data from IQVIA projects Brazil's pharmaceutical sales to reach R$24.35 billion in July, a 10.6% year‑over‑year rise, with an estimated 764.3 million units sold. Meanwhile, digital commerce is reshaping the sector: online sales of pharmacy chains grew 48.7% from 2024 to 2025, reaching R$19.56 billion and accounting for 17% of total revenue. The non‑medicine segment generated R$35.78 billion between October 2024 and September 2025, up 10.13%.

Assaí Farma opened its second pharmacy unit in São Paulo on 31 July, part of a rollout plan for 25 stores by the end of 2026. The 128 m² outlet offers roughly 10,000 SKUs and will add services such as injectable administration and health monitoring in the coming months.

Entities: ALKO do Brasil · Abrafarma · Assaí Farma · Blau Farmacêutica · Dennys Santos · Fecofar · IQVIA · Marcelo Grasso · Principia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] ALKO plans to distribute the product through up to 500 pharmacy points in the first quarter, expanding to 1,500 pharmacies within ten months. (823b0d9d-d90d-469b-9f6b-e93cc74f6e96)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Blau Farmacêutica has invested a total of R$1.5 billion in industrial expansion, research and development, and acquisitions since its IPO. (85c464e5-f669-421d-b14f-064abd21a3ed)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Blau's Cotia (SP) facility received certification to produce pembrolizumab, its first monoclonal antibody for oncology. (85c464e5-f669-421d-b14f-064abd21a3ed)
[○ 1 SOURCE] ALKO do Brasil will launch its first cannabis-based medication in Brazil between August and September, aiming to sell 5,000 units in the first ten months. (823b0d9d-d90d-469b-9f6b-e93cc74f6e96)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The non‑medicine category in Brazilian pharmacies generated R$35.78 billion between October 2024 and September 2025, a 10.13% increase. (1b0a81dd-6211-4230-b879-bd19f99be418)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Online sales of pharmacy chains in Brazil grew 48.7% from 2024 to 2025, reaching R$19.56 billion and representing 17% of total revenue. (1b0a81dd-6211-4230-b879-bd19f99be418)
[○ 1 SOURCE] IQVIA projects the Brazilian pharmaceutical market to reach R$24.35 billion in sales in July, a 10.6% year‑over‑year increase, with 764.3 million units sold. (92a1d6d2-e897-49de-bafb-83851a9b5115)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Assaí Farma opened its second pharmacy unit in São Paulo on 31 July, part of a plan to open 25 units by end‑2026, each offering about 10,000 SKUs. (cf5b3f83-7006-4345-8670-bb43987273c6)