Brazil's SUS increases Natalizumab distribution for multiple sclerosis

A study conducted by researchers at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein reveals that the distribution of Natalizumab through Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) increased by 44.5% between 2019 and 2023. This growth follows a 2021 update to the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines (PCDT) by the Ministry of Health, which integrated new scientific evidence into the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Analyzing over 1.7 million medication distribution records, the study found that the number of patients receiving treatment via SUS grew by 25.9% during this period. The updated guidelines now recommend Natalizumab as a primary option for patients with highly active forms of the disease.

Data indicates a significant shift in therapeutic profiles, with an 82% increase in migration toward high-efficacy therapies and a 54% reduction in exchanges between similar medications. Neurologist Lívia Almeida Dutra noted that evidence-based public policies have the potential to transform clinical practice by providing treatments that better control disease activity and reduce the risk of long-term disability.