Main justification for refusal was the high cost that the measure would represent for the public coffers, estimated between $ 3.4 to $ 7 billion over five years
Three prominent Brazilian medical societies specialized in the treatment of obesity and diabetes issued a joint note harshly criticizing the decision of the National Commission for Incorporation of Technologies in the Unified Health System (Conitec) not to include the so -called “losing weight pens” in the list of medicines offered by SUS. Associations, which include Abeso (Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome), SBEM (Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology) and SBD (Brazilian Society of Diabetes), claim that the measure represents a “elitization” in access to modern and effective treatments, leaving the population more vulnerable without adequate therapeutic options.
Conitec’s decision, an agency linked to the Ministry of Health, vetoed the incorporation of active principles liraglutid and semaglutado, present in popular medicines such as Ozempic and WeGovy. The main justification for the refusal was the high cost that the measure would represent for the public coffers, estimated between $ 3.4 to $ 7 billion over five years.
However, medical entities counter the financial argument. They claim that lack of access to these drugs can generate even higher costs in the future, resulting from the worsening diseases associated with obesity and diabetes, which will require more complex and expensive treatments. In addition, societies condemn the decision as “elitist” as it restricts access to advanced technology only to those who can afford it in the private network.
Medical associations argue that there are viable alternatives, such as sibutramine, which has a significantly lower cost, around $ 30, and could be an option to be incorporated by SUS to promote proper treatment of obesity. Recently, Anvisa has recognized the use of these injectable drugs for the treatment of obesity, which reinforces the position of entities about the importance of their availability in the public system.
*With information from David de Tarso
*Report produced with the aid of AI
