Transparency of Medicines Market, from the Global Perspective to the Challenges Faced in Brazil

Abstract

Transparency on drug costs and prices has been debated in the main areas of high-level governance in recent years. Brazil is one of the signatory countries to the Resolution of the World Health Organization on the transparency of the markets for medicines, vaccines, and other technologies and the transparency of the composition of the price of medicines can have an impact on the Brazilian health system. The aim of this scoping review was through documentary and literature analysis for definitions, characteristics, description, and theoretical grounding of Brazil’s attributes related to the voluntary commitments signed in the Resolution. Despite some limitations and barriers to achieving transparency in the composition of drug prices in Brazil, the country has a regulatory framework and successful experiences that can contribute towards improving price transparency. The Brazilian case indicates that transparency laws, policies, and institutional capacity could help provide some additional information for policymakers. Policymakers should also consider the use of health data interoperability standards to share information on the costs and pricing of medicines at all levels.