Brazil Anemia Drugs Market Analysis

Brazil Anemia Drugs Market Executive Summary

Brazil's Anemia drugs market was valued at $400 Mn in 2022 and is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2022-30 and will reach $850 Mn in 2030. Brazil is the largest country in South America, with a population of over 212 Mn people, and hence possesses the region's largest pharmaceutical market. Brazil has a publicly funded and government-run healthcare system that provides free and universal access to healthcare for the entire population, therefore its size alone provides enormous benefits to its residents. The Sistema nico de Sade (SUS) is the world's largest in terms of the user base, land covering, and linked treatment facilities. It is projected that Brazil's SUS presently spends roughly 10% of the country's GDP on healthcare, with that figure expected to climb to 12.6% by 2040.

Anemia is a medical disorder when the hemoglobin or red blood cell (RBC) level is below normal. Some of the most common indications and symptoms of Anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and palpitations. Anemia is divided into three categories. Excessive blood loss, which can happen during childbirth, menstruation, or loss of RBCs due to protracted bleeding, causes Anemia. Anemia can be caused by inadequate intake of nutrients including vitamins and minerals, which can also reduce or impair the production of red blood cells. This type of Anemia includes conditions including sickle cell Anemia, iron deficiency Anemia, and vitamin deficiency Anemia. The term "hemolytic Anemia" refers to the breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs) as a result of RBC fragility and inability to withstand the usual stresses placed on the circulatory system. The market for drugs to treat Anemia is expected to grow fast during the period of forecasting.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Anemia is a significant health concern in Brazil, with an estimated 30% of the population affected by the condition. This high prevalence of anemia creates a large potential market for anemia. An aging population is more susceptible to anemia, due to the increased risk of chronic diseases and decreased ability to absorb nutrients from food. This is driving the growth of the anemia drugs market.  Brazil has a growing aging population, which is more susceptible to developing anemia. According to data from the United Nations, the proportion of people aged 65 and over in Brazil is projected to increase from 9.4% in 2020 to 25.5% in 2050. Brazil's Government has been investing in healthcare infrastructure, with a focus on expanding access to healthcare services and increasing healthcare spending. This increased investment is expected to drive demand for anemia drugs. The Brazilian regulatory agency, ANVISA, has been approving new drugs for the treatment of anemia. This is expected to increase competition in the market and provide patients with more treatment options. The use of biosimilars, which are lower-cost versions of biological drugs, is increasing in Brazil. This is expected to drive down the cost of anemia drugs and increase their affordability, which could lead to increased demand for these drugs.

According to the World bank the prevalence of anemia among children (6-59 months) was 12% and among women of reproductive age (15-49) was 16% in 2019. Anaemia is a severe global public health issue that adversely impacts children and pregnant women. According to the WHO, 42% of children under the age of five and 40% of pregnant women globally are anemic.

Market Restraints

Anemia drugs are expensive, and the high cost of treatment may be a barrier for patients, particularly those who do not have health insurance. According to a report by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the cost of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs), the most common class of anemia drugs, can range from $58.5 to $967.5 per dose. This high cost could limit the accessibility of these drugs to many patients. The Brazilian government has implemented policies to control healthcare costs, including caps on drug prices and restrictions on drug reimbursement. These policies may limit the availability and affordability of anemia drugs, particularly for patients who are not covered by health insurance. Several major anemia drugs have lost or are set to lose patent protection in Brazil. This could lead to increased competition from lower-cost generics and biosimilars, which may limit the growth of the market for branded anemia drugs. Anemia drugs, particularly ESAs, have been associated with adverse effects such as hypertension, thromboembolism, and cardiovascular events. These adverse effects may limit the use of these drugs, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

• Cristalia Pharma
• Ache
• EMS Pharma
• Eurofarma
• BioLab Pharma
• Roche
• Pfizer
• Sanofi

Healthcare Policies and Regulatory Landscape

The Brazilian National Health System (SUS) is Brazil's publicly-funded healthcare system, which provides free or low-cost healthcare to the population. Anemia drugs, including ESAs, are included in the list of medications covered by SUS. The Brazilian Health Technology Assessment Committee (Comissão Nacional de Incorporação de Tecnologias, or CONITEC) is responsible for evaluating the clinical and economic effectiveness of health technologies, including anemia drugs, to determine whether they should be covered by SUS. The Brazilian Generic Drugs Program is a government initiative that aims to increase access to affordable medications, including anemia drugs, by offering them at lower prices through a network of participating pharmacies. The Brazilian Biosimilars Program is a government initiative that aims to promote the development and use of biosimilars, including biosimilar versions of ESAs used to treat anemia, in Brazil.

Reimbursement Scenario

Brazil has a two-tiered healthcare system that includes a public, universal healthcare system (Sistema Único de Saúde, or SUS) and a private healthcare sector. Reimbursement scenarios can differ greatly between the two, with SUS generally offering more limited coverage and reimbursement rates compared to private insurance plans. As the largest healthcare provider in Brazil, SUS is responsible for providing free or low-cost healthcare to the population. Many healthcare services and products, including medications, are covered by SUS. Healthcare providers, such as hospitals, clinics, and physicians, may have different reimbursement rates depending on the payer and the services provided. For example, hospitals that provide services to SUS patients may receive lower reimbursement rates than those that serve private insurance patients.