Drugs can be reset up to 12.5% this year, says industry

The adjustment in the price index for medicines can reach up to 12.5 percent this year, above inflation, according to estimates from the pharmaceutical industry. The official maximum allowed adjustment percentage must be released by Cmed (Board of market regulation of Medicines) on March 31. The industry forecast, however, is that there is little variation in relation to estimate disclosed this Wednesday (9). The index was calculated based on criteria that, along with the IPCA (national consumer price Index Broad), make up the calculation adopted by the Government to secure the maximum adjustment of the price of medicine. For that estimate released Interfarma, the prospect is that this value be changed only if there is a change in the criteria used by the Ministry of health for the calculation. Weigh in that account factors such as productivity, industry competition in the pharmaceutical industry and the cost of inputs. "The fluctuations of the exchange rate and the significant increase of electricity were influential in change," said Interfarma, in a note. Unlike the previous year, the industry says that the annulment of the competition and productivity factors should cause there is only one index maximum allowed adjustment for all categories of medicinal products. In 2015, the indexes were 5%, 6.35% and 7.7%. In all, 19 1000 products are subject to the new adjustment. The increase, however, should not arrive immediately to pharmacies. According to the industry, the prediction is that the first price changes occur in three months, with the replenishment of stocks. Industry and retail can also opt for a smaller adjustment than allowed, especially in the case of products of greater competition in the sector and more sought after by patients. OTHER SIDE: in a statement, the Ministry of health says that the annual adjustment of the maximum price for medicines is still not defined and must be disclosed until the day 31 March. " It is worth mentioning, however, that the resolution [establishing the criteria for calculating] defines the possible maximum increase index and that the pharmaceutical industry can regulate prices, including for less the percentage envisaged "informs.