RESUMO
This paper analyzes the patterns of health biotechnology publications in six Latin American countries from 2001 to 2015. The countries studied were Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico. Before our study, there were no data available on HBT development in half of the Latin-American countries we studied, i.e., Argentina, Colombia and Chile. To include these countries in a scientometric analysis of HBT provides fuller coverage of HBT development in Latin America. The scientometric study used the Web of Science database to identify health biotechnology publications. The total amount of health biotechnology production in the world during the period studied was about 400,000 papers. A total of 1.2% of these papers, were authored by the six Latin American countries in this study. The results show a significant growth in health biotechnology publications in Latin America despite some of the countries having social and political instability, fluctuations in their gross domestic expenditure in research and development or a trade embargo that limits opportunities for scientific development. The growth in the field of some of the Latin American countries studied was larger than the growth of most industrialized nations. Still, the visibility of the Latin American research (measured in the number of citations) did not reach the world average, with the exception of Colombia. The main producers of health biotechnology papers in Latin America were universities, except in Cuba were governmental institutions were the most frequent producers. The countries studied were active in international research collaboration with Colombia being the most active (64% of papers co-authored internationally), whereas Brazil was the least active (35% of papers). Still, the domestic collaboration was even more prevalent, with Chile being the most active in such collaboration (85% of papers co-authored domestically) and Argentina the least active (49% of papers). We conclude that the Latin American countries studied are increasing their health biotechnology publishing. This strategy could contribute to the development of innovations that may solve local health problems in the region.
Assuntos
Biotecnologia , Pesquisa , Cooperação Internacional , América Latina , EditoraçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Access to medicines and the development of a strong national pharmaceutical industry are two longstanding pillars of health policy in Brazil. This is reflected in a clear emphasis by Brazil's Federal Government on improving access to medicine in national health plans and industrial policies aimed at promoting domestic pharmaceutical development. This research proposes that such policies may act as incentives for companies to pursue a strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda. CSR that supports Governmental priorities could help companies to benefit significantly from the Governmental industrial policy. We sought to determine whether CSR activities of Brazilian pharmaceutical firms are currently aligned with the Federal Government's health prioritization. To do so we examined key Brazilian health related policies since 2004, including the specific priorities of Brazil's 2012-2015 Health Plan, and compared these with CSR initiatives that are reported on the websites of select pharmaceutical firms in Brazil. RESULTS: Brazil's national health plans and industrial policies demonstrated that the Federal Government has followed diverse approaches for improving access to medicines, including strengthening health care infrastructure, increasing transparency, and supporting product development partnerships. Case studies of six pharmaceutical firms, representing both public and private companies of varying size, support the perspective that CSR is a priority for firms. However, while many programs target issues such as health infrastructure, health care training, and drug donation, more programs focus on areas other than health and do not seem to be connected to Governmental prioritization. CONCLUSION: This research suggests that there are loose connections between Governmental priorities and pharmaceutical firm CSR. However, there remains a significant opportunity for greater alignment, which could improve access to medicines in the country and foster a stronger relationship between the Government and industry.
Assuntos
Indústria Farmacêutica/métodos , Ética nos Negócios , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde/normas , Responsabilidade Social , Brasil , Programas Governamentais/economia , Programas Governamentais/métodos , Política de Saúde/economia , Política de Saúde/tendências , HumanosAssuntos
Cooperação Internacional , Meningite Meningocócica/prevenção & controle , Vacinas Meningocócicas , Neisseria meningitidis Sorogrupo A/imunologia , Neisseria meningitidis Sorogrupo C/imunologia , Academias e Institutos , África Subsaariana/epidemiologia , Brasil , Cuba , Países em Desenvolvimento , Custos de Medicamentos , Humanos , Meningite Meningocócica/epidemiologia , Vacinas Meningocócicas/economia , Vacinas Meningocócicas/provisão & distribuiçãoRESUMO
Developing countries such as China, India and Brazil are making large investments in the stem cell field. Here we argue that hands-on involvement in the field by these countries is essential if the products developed are going to be locally relevant, affordable and appropriate. However, stem cells are a high-risk investment and any global health impacts are still likely to be far off. Even if they are eventually successful, better clinical oversight and measures to ensure access are required for stem cells to have a substantial and equitable impact.
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Saúde Global , Medicina Regenerativa/organização & administração , Células-Tronco/fisiologia , Brasil , China , Países em Desenvolvimento , Saúde Global/economia , Saúde Global/tendências , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Cooperação Internacional , Investimentos em Saúde , Revisão da Pesquisa por Pares , Editoração/estatística & dados numéricos , Editoração/tendências , Medicina Regenerativa/economia , Medicina Regenerativa/métodos , Medicina Regenerativa/tendências , Células-Tronco/citologiaRESUMO
AIMS: Although Brazil has received attention for conducting one of the world's largest stem cell clinical trials for heart disease, little has been published regarding Brazil's regenerative medicine (RM) sector. Here we present a comprehensive case study of RM in Brazil, including analysis of the current activity, the main motivations for engaging in RM and the remaining challenges to development in this field. METHODS: Our case study is primarily based on semi-structured interviews with experts on RM in Brazil, including researchers, policymakers, clinicians, representatives of firms and regulators. RESULTS: Driven by domestic health needs and strategic government support, Brazil is producing innovative RM research, particularly for clinical research in cardiology, orthopedics, diabetes and neurology. We describe the main RM research currently taking place in Brazil, as well as some of the economic, regulatory and policy events that have created a favorable environment for RM development. Brazilian RM researchers need to overcome several formidable challenges to research: research funding is inconsistent, importation of materials is costly and slow, and weak linkages between universities, hospitals and industry impede translational research. CONCLUSIONS: Although Brazil's contribution to the RM sector is small, its niche emphasis on clinical applications may become of global importance, particularly if Brazil manages to address the challenges currently impinging on RM innovation.
Assuntos
Inovação Organizacional , Medicina Regenerativa/tendências , Academias e Institutos , Brasil , Células-Tronco Embrionárias/citologia , Financiamento Governamental/economia , Geografia , Recursos em Saúde , Hospitais , Humanos , Propriedade Intelectual , Motivação , Medicina Regenerativa/economia , Medicina Regenerativa/legislação & jurisprudência , PesquisaRESUMO
This article analyzes the entrepreneurial cooperation between Cuba and Brazil in health biotechnology. It looks at the strategies applied and the main impacts. The respective government/political wills and the corresponding South-South collaboration policies are discussed, as well as the steps taken to materialize collaboration programs, including joint production of a meningitis vaccine for Africa. This cooperation is a good example of how South-South collaboration can be a useful tool to promote capacity building and provide cost-effective health solutions for developing countries.