The politics of multinational participation in the Brazilian pharmaceutical market

This paper discusses the strategies available to multinational pharmaceutical companies (MPCs) to expand their activities in Brazil through the national drugs policy. MPCs have existed in Brazil for decades, but they are increasing their focus on emerging markets as growth in developed markets slows. Despite the potential for market expansion, this paper considers the political factors that could promote or constrain their strategy. Since the 1990s, Brazil’s national framework on healthcare and more specifically pharmaceuticals has shifted considerably. On the domestic front, Brazil has created a public health system, introduced regulation on patents and established a thriving generics sector, while it has become more pro-active internationally, as highlighted by the AIDS epidemic. This paper argues that MPCs should respond to the political changes in Brazil and the global industry-specific pressures by adapting corporate strategies to the local context rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.A dissertation submitted in part-fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of M.Sc. in Globalisation and Latin-American Development, 2008-9.