Accepting bids
267of 7,734 published
Value open now
R$ 776.2Msum of open tenders
Average estimated value
R$ 1.5Mper procurement
Buying agencies
519448 cities
Updated with the latest publication of Oct 26, 2026 · official PNCP data.
How the Brazilian government buys medicines
Medicine purchases are among the most frequent in the country: city governments stock their primary-care pharmacies, hospitals replenish inventory, and public health consortia buy jointly to bring prices down. Suppliers need an Operating Authorization (AFE) from Anvisa (Brazil's health regulatory agency), a state or municipal health license and, almost always, proof that the product is registered with Anvisa. Distributors usually compete item by item, with thin margins and high volume.
What the tender notice usually requires
- Operating Authorization (AFE) from Anvisa
- Valid health license
- Registration of the medicine with Anvisa
- Good Practices Certificate when required
Typical activity code (CNAE): 46.44-3 (wholesale of medicines). Make sure the company's registered
business purpose covers the activity before bidding — an incompatible CNAE is grounds for disqualification.
How to prepare to bid in São Paulo
Follow new publications daily: between the notice and the bid deadline there are usually about eight business
days, and much of that time goes into gathering documents. Download the tender notice and the terms of reference
from each tender page, check the specification item by item and work out your minimum price before the bidding
phase — including taxes, freight, payment terms and the margin that makes the contract viable.
Micro and small businesses (ME/EPP) get preferential treatment under Brazilian law: a tie preference, extra time
to fix tax certificates and, in smaller purchases, exclusive participation. See the step-by-step guide
how to participate in a tender.
Frequently asked questions
How many medicines tenders are open in São Paulo?
There are 267 medicines tenders accepting bids in São Paulo right now, out of 7,734 published. This page is updated several times a day from the PNCP.
How much does the government spend on medicines?
The average estimated value of these procurements is R$ 1,475,157.40, and the tenders open in São Paulo add up to R$ 776,225,046.52. The estimated value is the agency's reference price — the final price is usually lower after the bidding phase.
Who buys medicines in São Paulo?
519 different agencies have published procurements in this category: city governments, city councils, municipal health and education funds, and state and federal bodies. The agencies that buy the most are listed on this page.
What do I need to sell medicines to the Brazilian government?
Besides the standard qualification documents (a CNPJ with a compatible activity code, federal, social security, labor, state and municipal clearance certificates, and financial statements), this category usually requires: Operating Authorization (AFE) from Anvisa; Valid health license; Registration of the medicine with Anvisa; Good Practices Certificate when required. The tender notice always has the final word.
Do I need to be based in São Paulo to bid?
No. Electronic tenders are open to companies from anywhere in the country, and Law 14,133/2021 prohibits requiring a local address as a condition to participate. In practice, freight, delivery time and local support affect the price — which is why regional suppliers are often competitive. Foreign companies should read how foreign companies can bid.
Tender notices are published in Portuguese, so descriptions appear as the agency wrote them.
Search with English or Portuguese keywords — common English terms are translated automatically.
New to Brazil? Start with how foreign companies can bid.