Brazil Expands Coverage for MS and Cancer Treatments

Brazil expands coverage for MS and Cancer treatment by making Ofatumumab and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy covered on a compulsory basis beginning September 1, 2023. The treatments have been through the ANS’ (National Supplementary Health Agency) assessment process, which uses assessment technology similar to Germany, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Newly covered treatments include the following:

Ofatumumab – a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis in adult patients. MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing varied and recurring symptoms. Including this drug in the compulsory coverage list provides patients with an additional treatment option.

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy – a procedure that allows more precise radiation dosages to be administered in specific body areas. This is especially relevant in treating lung, mediastinal, and esophageal tumors.

Earlier this year, other drugs were added to the compulsory coverage list. These include the following:

Levantinibmesylate – for treating thyroid cancer.

Onasemnogeno abeparvoveque (Zolgensma®) – for the treatment of pediatric patients up to 6 months old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type I who have been out of the invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 16 hours a day.

Dupilumabe – to treat patients with severe atopic dermatitis with an indication for systemic treatment and who present failure, intolerance, or contraindication to cyclosporine.

Zanubrutinibe – to treat adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy.

Romosozumabe – to treat women with osteoporosis in the postmenopausal period, from the age of 70 onwards, and who have failed in the treatment with other medication.

 

This information about Brazil’s expanding coverage for MS and cancer treatments is provided by SCIATH, Asinta’s employee benefits consulting Partner in Brazil. If you need support with your benefits program in Brazil, feel free to contact Asinta, and we will put you in touch with the experts at SCIATH.