Rio, October 1, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - This year the Ministry of Health halved its expenses on blood derivatives. According to Minister Humberto Costa, what made the savings possible was the execution of a closed competition, which caused the prices of products to fall, in the final year of the previous Administration. "This is a part. It's not everywhere that we have fat we can slash."

The Minister affirmed that in the case of the so-called "exceptional" drugs, of which the government is practically the only buyer, the judicial power requires "with growing frequency" the distribution of products which are "increasingly scarce and of dubious efficacy." He explained that this list includes many medications which are not patented and are not manufactured in Brazil. "A concentrated effort to give us options in this area would enhance our capacity to fortify the purchasing power that the Ministry possesses." The Minister pointed out that the health sector has demonstrated guaranteed returns for the economy, and, with investments, it could develop even more products to strengthen the export portfolio.

At the opening of the 2nd National Seminar on the Health Industry Complex, on Monday (29), he reminded his audience that joint activities by the Ministries of Health, Development, and National Integration, accompanied by the BNDES (National Economic and Social Development Bank), to discuss the productive chain of medical and hospital inputs and equipment represent a form of inclusion. "A country that aspires development and the capacity to generate jobs and surpluses in its foreign commerce must invest heavily in this area." (DAS)