Brazil's Health Ministry to Study GLP‑1 Weight‑Loss Drugs for SUS

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha announced that Brazil's Ministry of Health will launch a clinical study to evaluate the incorporation of GLP‑1‑based "weight‑loss pens" into the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). The trial will involve 250 patients classified as super‑obese with severe cardiac complications who are waiting for bariatric surgery. Conducted by Grupo Hospitalar Conceição in Porto Alegre, the protocol aims to measure clinical outcomes and economic impacts, such as reducing surgery wait‑lists, cardiovascular complications and diabetes‑related costs.

The study, expected to start later this year, must first receive approval from the hospital's ethics committee. Padilha emphasized that the medications are not “miracle aesthetic solutions” and will require medical supervision. He also highlighted the government's plan to stimulate domestic production; ANVISA is reviewing 17 registration requests for GLP‑1 agents, and increased competition is expected to lower prices. The drugs under review belong to the GLP‑1 agonist class, including semaglutide, tirzepatide and others that are already approved for weight management and diabetes in Brazil.

In parallel, the ministry is dealing with the temporary suspension of the Butantan dengue vaccine pending safety investigations.