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Medicines tenders in São Paulo, Brazil

Accepting bids 283of 7,883 published
Value open now R$ 792.6Msum of open tenders
Average estimated value R$ 1.5Mper procurement
Buying agencies 522450 cities

Updated with the latest publication of Oct 29, 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

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.

Who buys the most medicines in São Paulo

Medicines by city in São Paulo

São Paulo 1,035Piraju 447Araraquara 419Ribeirão Preto 300Limeira 223Campinas 184São José do Rio Preto 184Barretos 171Franca 132Marília 126Lençóis Paulista 125Bilac 122Bauru 117Jaú 112Sorocaba 110Botucatu 109Taubaté 102Araçatuba 101Piracicaba 95Santos 88Tatuí 88Vargem Grande do Sul 83São José dos Campos 82Jacareí 67Mococa 64Tarumã 63Americana 60Guarulhos 59Santa Fé do Sul 57Itapetininga 56Pindorama 56São João da Boa Vista 52Atibaia 46Holambra 46São Bernardo do Campo 43Mogi das Cruzes 39Leme 37Amparo 35Bebedouro 35Espírito Santo do Pinhal 33

Frequently asked questions

How many medicines tenders are open in São Paulo?

There are 283 medicines tenders accepting bids in São Paulo right now, out of 7,883 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$ 1,455,423.38, and the tenders open in São Paulo add up to R$ 792,625,527.94. 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?

522 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.

Other categories in São Paulo

Other Public Procurement 423,542Construction and Engineering Services 51,460Events, Staging Rental, and Shows 35,216Courses and Training 21,615Medical and Hospital Supplies 21,546School Meals and Foodstuffs 20,943Vehicle Maintenance and Parts 17,048Health Services and Accreditation 15,783Computers and IT Equipment 13,299Software and Management Systems 12,020Furniture and Equipment 11,915Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 11,646Equipment Maintenance 11,553Machinery, Implements, and Heavy Equipment 11,130Laboratory Tests and Supplies 10,915Cleaning and Sanitizing Supplies 10,514Accreditation and Public Calls 9,462Building Maintenance and Repairs 9,327Uniforms and PPE 8,986Water, Sewage, and Sanitation 8,803Fuel 8,600Office Supplies 7,093Property Rental 6,915

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.