New law requires “SUS” to publish stocks of medicines in public pharmacies

On August 24, 2023, the Acting President of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin, sanctioned Law N°. 14.654/2023, which adds a provision to the Organic Health Law (Law N°. 8.080/1990).

The new law mandates various levels of the Unified Health System (“SUS”) to disclose on their websites the stocks of medicines in public pharmacies under their management. These data must be updated every 15 days and accessible to the general public.

Originating from Bill No. 9300/2017 in the House of Representatives (Chamber of Deputies) and passed in the Federal Senate through Bill N°. 4673/2019, the new law aims to bring greater transparency to the management of medicines in pharmacies across the country.

In this new scenario, the public administration allows any citizen to closely monitor the administration of medicines by the Public Authority. However, it also obliges the authorities to plan their stocks more effectively to avoid the waste of these products, which often go unused and expire.

The idea is that society, including companies with contracts with the Public Authority, should have access to information about the stock and logistics of medicines among the various instances that make up the SUS (federal, state, municipal, and district), seeking to ensure a more efficient management of these products.

The new legislative provision will come into effect 180 days from its publication, meaning it will be in effect from February 10, 2024.

Our Life Sciences & Healthcare team is available if you have any questions about the topic and its potential implications through the email: lifesciences@soutocorrea.com.br.