Text amends the Organic Health Law and prioritizes immunotherapy when the method is more effective than traditional options
The Senate approved on Tuesday (10 March 2026) PL (bill) 2,371, of 2021, which establishes faster access to immunotherapy for cancer patients treated by the SUS (Unified Health System). The text goes to sanction. Read the full text (PDF – 95.9 KB).
Immunotherapy is a treatment that stimulates the body’s defense system to identify and fight cancer cells. The project, by the deputy (PL-RS), altera a (Law 8,080, 1990) to include treatment in protocols when it demonstrates greater efficacy or safety compared to traditional options.
The senator (PL-AL) was the project rapporteur. According to her, it is unreasonable for patients indicated for immunotherapy to treat cancer to have to wait so long for the medication, product or procedure to be incorporated into the SUS.
“It takes 180 days and sometimes much longer to release immunotherapy, which is enough time for the cancer patient to die“, he stated.
Dr. Eudócia mentioned that immunotherapy is already used in several countries, citing the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, China and Canada. In Brazil, the SUS already offers immunotherapy for certain cases of cancer, but the lack of standards still represents a challenge for patients to access treatment.
The voting session was attended by representatives of organizations, movements and associations that support cancer patients.
With information from .
