The export of medical devices earned Brazil US$909 million in 2022, which represented a 14.13% increase in international sales compared to 2021. But the potential of the companies is much greater and experts believe that the country can become a major world player, with government support.

Tax Reform is essential because today medical device manufacturers pay high fees and taxes, which makes their products more expensive, while imported goods are exempt when purchased by public, university and philanthropic hospitals.

A government policy that stimulates the sector could be a watershed, just as it was for generic medicines 20 years ago. National pharmaceutical companies accounted for less than 12% of the market, but the government created sources of funding and incentives, invested in advertising, designed the Farmácias Populares (Popular Pharmacy) program and, today, five of the eight largest pharmaceutical companies in the country are national.

Brazilian medical devices reach around 120 countries and range from X-ray machines, mechanical ventilators and dental cabinets to valves and heart implants. However, with a policy of incentives for the sector, more companies can look abroad and see it as an attractive place to do business.

The Health Economic-Industrial Complex, which guides the Federal Government’s actions, can favor this scenario as it advances and becomes a national policy, achieving its goal of making the country increasingly independent in terms of medicines and supplies.