President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned Law No. 5,972/2023 on Wednesday, expanding the supply of thrombolytic drugs for the treatment of heart attacks and strokes within Brazil's public health system's emergency and urgent care network.
Thrombolytics are used to dissolve the blood clots that cause both conditions, which rank among the leading causes of death in Brazil. In certain cases, the drugs can quickly restore blood flow, saving lives and reducing the risk of lasting damage.
The measure is part of an effort by the Ministry of Health to reduce the number of deaths caused by the two diseases. Brazil records between 300,000 and 400,000 heart attacks and about 292,000 stroke treatments each year, according to the ministry.
Brazil's public health system, known as the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), provides free healthcare to the country's population and is one of the largest public health networks in the world.
New Oversight Committee
Alongside the expanded drug supply, Health Minister Alexandre Padilha signed an order creating the Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of Care Pathways for Time-Dependent Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Conditions, covering stroke and acute myocardial infarction, within the Ministry of Health. The committee will be responsible for proposing measures to make the medications more accessible.
Dr. Roberto Kalil, a cardiologist and president of the Heart Institute, known as InCor, said the measure would confirm and endorse the benefits of the medications and strengthen protocols so they reach the country's poorest people. He said this would bring an important reduction in mortality, combined with smart hospitals and hemodynamic units. InCor, part of the University of São Paulo's hospital complex, is one of Brazil's leading cardiology and cardiac surgery centers.
How the SUS Currently Treats These Conditions
The SUS already runs a dedicated care pathway for acute myocardial infarction and stroke, with protocols covering diagnosis and treatment. For heart attacks, care includes access to reperfusion, a procedure used to restore blood flow to the heart.
Thrombolytics are part of this care pathway and can also be administered by SAMU (Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência), Brazil's mobile emergency medical service, according to clinical indication.
In emergency units, medical teams can diagnose patients, assess whether thrombolytic treatment is appropriate and begin it when necessary. The new law will allow authorities to evaluate ways to support and improve this supply, bringing treatment closer to the population.
