Brasília – The efficiency of Brazilian agencies responsible for reviewing drug patents has long been questioned — but now the United States claims the delays are intentional.

The accusation emerged amid growing trade tensions between the two countries, following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian products. The dispute escalated with the formal launch of an investigation by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), based on Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act.

The investigation targets alleged unfair trade practices by the Brazilian government, particularly the chronic backlog in the approval of pharmaceutical patents. If confirmed, it could lead to unilateral retaliatory measures against Brazil.

The move is seen as a response to recent discussions in Brazil about potentially overriding drug patents as a countermeasure to U.S. tariffs — an idea that has already been publicly rejected by the Brazilian government.

“Breaking patents may expand immediate access to medicines, but it undermines legal certainty and directly affects companies’ confidence in continuing to invest in research in Brazil. The patent system exists to provide predictability and returns on high-risk, long-term investments,” said Leonardo Almeida, partner at Avance Propriedade Intelectual.

Source: Panorama Farmacêutico

Would you like a complete analysis of this topic?
Contact us at pharmabrnews@gmail.com