Government announces production of 10 million vials of insulin in Brazil

The Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday (23), the beginning of the activities of the national production of insulin crystals, which is the active ingredient of the drug used to treat diabetes. The production, which will start from this year, will be made through a partnership between the laboratory Biomanguinhos Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and laboratory Ukrainian Indar - one of three producers of insulin in the world, with whom the Ministry of Health has agreements transfer technology for the production of the drug in the country. It is predicted that by 2016 Brazil to produce on an industrial scale NPH insulin.

As reported by the folder, this agreement also extends the provision of insulin to patients assisted by the Unified Health System (SUS). The Ministry of Health has acquired over 3.5 million bottles of medicine, quantitative to be delivered to the country next April and could reach 10 million bottles until December if necessary.

"We want to reduce the country's vulnerability in the international market of medicines, encouraging domestic production of science and technology and strengthen the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry, said Health Minister Alexandre Padilha.

Studies show that 7.6 million Brazilians have diabetes. Of these, about 900 000 depend exclusively on the Health System to obtain insulin.

<b> Partnership with private laboratory </ b>

To resume productive development strategy and technology in healthcare, Fiocruz establish a Production Development Partnership (PDP) with the private laboratory Biomm. The Brazilian company has locally developed technology and innovative to produce insulin, which was patented in conjunction with the University of Brasilia and is recognized by countries with the U.S. and Canada, and the European Community.

This partnership will allow Brazil to get the entire cycle for producing insulin, enabling the country to conquer technological autonomy consequent elimination of the drug supply difficulties and vulnerability to price fluctuations on the world market, says Secretary of Science, Technology and Strategic Inputs of the Ministry of Health, Carlos Gadelha.

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