What challenges limit the performance of official pharmaceutical laboratories?

Abstract

This study presents and discusses the main constraints for the proper functioning of Official Pharmaceutical Laboratories. The perspective that guides the discussion focuses on theoretical-empirical works focusing on public health, the Unified Health System (SUS) and Official Pharmaceutical Laboratories in the post-1988 period. The methodology used for this work is a mixed, qualitative, and quantitative approach, with an exploratory and descriptive character of these laboratories functionalities for the national health system. It is evident that the main points that hinder their full functioning are related to four distinct layers: i) their economic nature; ii) the dimension of public policies; iii) the legal-institutional model; and, still, iv) several other challenges related to more general issues. By way of conclusion, it should be noted that these laboratories should be articulated in search of greater independence of the SUS in relation to medicines produced by multinational companies, since the national productive base is still fragile and dependent on intermediate goods.