BuscaLicitaçõesBrazilian public tenders in one search

Medicines tenders in Brazil

Accepting bids 994of 24,000 published
Value open now R$ 3.2Bsum of open tenders
Average estimated value R$ 3Mper procurement
Buying agencies 3,9043,093 cities

Updated with the latest publication of Oct 28, 2026 · official PNCP data.

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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 Brazil

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 Brazil

Medicines by state

São Paulo 7,855Minas Gerais 2,267Rio Grande do Sul 2,209Paraná 1,482Rio de Janeiro 1,424Goiás 1,222Ceará 944Bahia 892Santa Catarina 705Pernambuco 646Espírito Santo 588Paraíba 546Sergipe 457Rio Grande do Norte 421Mato Grosso do Sul 416Distrito Federal 289Pará 269Rondônia 263Mato Grosso 218Alagoas 209Maranhão 180Amazonas 162Tocantins 138Piauí 113Amapá 34Acre 25Roraima 25

Frequently asked questions

How many medicines tenders are open in Brazil?

There are 994 medicines tenders accepting bids in Brazil right now, out of 24,000 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$ 2,988,700.12, and the tenders open in Brazil add up to R$ 3,232,715,663.89. The estimated value is the agency's reference price — the final price is usually lower after the bidding phase.

Who buys medicines in Brazil?

3,904 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 Brazil 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 Brazil

Other Public Procurement 422,318Construction and Engineering Services 51,331Events, Staging Rental, and Shows 35,142Courses and Training 21,552Medical and Hospital Supplies 21,483School Meals and Foodstuffs 20,890Vehicle Maintenance and Parts 16,987Health Services and Accreditation 15,742Computers and IT Equipment 13,258Software and Management Systems 11,992Furniture and Equipment 11,868Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 11,610Equipment Maintenance 11,524Machinery, Implements, and Heavy Equipment 11,111Laboratory Tests and Supplies 10,868Cleaning and Sanitizing Supplies 10,492Accreditation and Public Calls 9,435Building Maintenance and Repairs 9,294Uniforms and PPE 8,961Water, Sewage, and Sanitation 8,789Fuel 8,556Office Supplies 7,075Property Rental 6,897

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.