Access to Medicines in Brazil: Social Participation and the Development of the Right to Health

Abstract

Access to medicines is a fundamental dimension of the right to health in Brazil, and its consolidation as a public policy within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) has been strongly influenced by social participation. This opinion article analyzes the contribution of social participation to the development and strengthening of pharmaceutical services within the SUS, as well as the contemporary challenges to the effectiveness of this participation. First, it revisits historical milestones that highlight the leading role of social movements, health councils, and health conferences in advocating for access to medicines, with particular emphasis on the struggle for universal access to antiretroviral therapy, the formulation of the National Medicines Policy, and the development of the National Pharmaceutical Policy. The article then discusses evidence linking social participation to improvements in pharmaceutical services management and expanded access to medicines, demonstrating that social participation mechanisms contribute to identifying population needs, improving public policies, and enhancing decision-making processes. It also addresses challenges arising from the increasing technical, regulatory, and economic complexity of medicines and health technology policies, emphasizing the need for continuous education and capacity-building initiatives for health council members, social leaders, and other actors involved in social participation. Furthermore, it advocates for greater participation of pharmacists in SUS deliberative spaces. The article concludes that social participation is a strategic element for ensuring access to medicines and remains essential for strengthening democratic governance within the SUS and for advancing the right to health.