BRAZIL ENFORCES TOUGH DRUG PRICE RESTRICTIONS

Brazilian drug regulator Anvisa has penalised alleged violations of the country's ongoing price freeze. Local media sources report that drug firms based in France and Switzerland have received fines totalling some US$600,000 for reportedly increasing prices above this year's agreed maximum price rise.

Brazil's high-level drug pricing committee, CMED, appears to be striking a more aggressive stance on drug price rises, as sales of OTC and generic prescription products have soared in recent months. The panel was created in 2002 in the wake of the devaluation of the currency, and foreign firms continue to complain that price rises have failed to match the pace of inflation.