With the purpose of expanding its negotiation routes and expanding its operations in the international market, for the first time, the Institute of Drug Technology (Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz) exported a drug through direct sale. The action takes place under the bill approved in December 2018 by the House of Representatives and the Senate, on an emergency basis, which allows Fiocruz to produce and provide vaccines, drugs and other health inputs and services through its support foundation - Fiotec. The intention is to assist the World Health Organization (WHO) in providing vaccines to countries in need of improved supply.

The provision of vitamin A 100,000 IU in capsules to Guatemala was made through a publication by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The commercialization contemplated the request of 394,500 pharmaceutical units. Delivered early this month, the drug will be distributed to children aged six to eleven months as a preventive supplement, since this vitamin is essential for the functions related to the visual system, growth and immune system.

According to the head of the Pharmaceutical Assistance Division of the unit (DAF), Vanessa Lordello, the shipment of this product abroad brings legitimacy and recognition to Farmanguinhos as drug supplier to the Americas, opening possible opportunity windows for new demands, especially from PAHO, to other countries and specific international funds in the purchase and distribution of drugs in the region.

In this regard, the commercialization corroborates with the mission and institutional vision, in order to highlight Farmanguinhos in the international scenario, especially in the field of neglected diseases. "Therefore, this export represents not only an achievement, but also a great step for the Institution towards the goal of expanding its relations to the international sphere," notes Lordello.